Must be a Bad Grandma

It's difficult, isn't it. I had one set of grandchildren that I just couldn't get on with until I had to stop looking after them. I think we just didn't really like each other then. The others I never had a problem with and will be with them at the drop of a hat. I love them all, I hasten to say and I think that DiL's way of doing was so very different to mine.

We’re all different and why should you enjoy babysitting the Grandchildren when they have bad manners and are not well behaved?

I agree, we can’t all like doing the same things. I personally have loved having all 5 GC, even all together at times ! and have had some lovely times ... however, I’ve never been restrained on discipline, the parents have always accepted that I am firm but fair !

My GC are now 14, 17 and 21. I have never babysat for them. I told DS that I wouldn't, from day one. However, now that they are older, I love to spend time with them, and they love coming to me, or so they say. They are always asking to stay over, and I happily let them. Babies/toddlers are just not that interesting, even if you do love them.

I agree with most.. we have them at ours to babysit (they are good kids tbf) but I find it more of a "chore" I have to fit in to my schedule. I'm retired so should be "free" ......

If we are asked to look after the GC we have them here. When I have sat at their home they either go to their rooms to watch TV or lay in playroom. When they come here we play board games before bed & they are as good as gold. They much prefer coming here so we only go there if they have to be out early the next morning-- football, golf lessons. dance class etc.
I am sad to say the older ones are now fine to leave alone & the little ones won't be long following. I shall really miss it.

I know just how you feel , just take a step back and button your lip. I’ve had similar with my Sil
Came home from a few days at there’s and burst into tears from held in anger!! I don’t know an answer but from going home and having a large glass of wine !! It helped .

Im with you on this one, all of my gc are lovely but I decided before they were even born I was not going to be a babysitter ad lib and we do have a very good relationship with all 8 of them, albeit fairly distant but it was my choice and my daughters respected that and have only asked when there was no alternative which was fine.

No,not every grandparent wants to be a babysitter,you have already done it with 4! Grandchildren can be little heartbreakers for sure, there is the rub.
My family live overseas and ive been seeing them several times a year, until recently with the covid thing.
They are so hard work, tantrums and that's just the parents!
If they lived nearer, I would not be ready to drop everything for them,its not selfish, it's respecting that I haven't the stamina to handle 3 little ones and parents with their own dynamics, The waltons have a lot to answer for!

I am the opposite here, I would have loved to have been more involved with my gks.. but my dil, a stay at mum, only asked me when it suited here, hence the gks rarely visited here unless with their parents,,, and rarely babysat at their home..

ho hum, such is life...

Ah, thank you.
Glad she is still full of beans.

@MissAdventure ? Mad dog currently looking very saintly. Just waiting for a cat, a bird, a leaf, a piece of litter or a fly to pass by the window before she lets loose.

I'm not asked to babysit the GC in the evenings very often but I do have them 2 days a week anyway and I think that's enough! I'm fortunate that my GC are well behaved anyway but their parents have always made it clear that, "when in Granny's house, you do as she says". As good as they are normally, as soon as they start squabbling and falling out, I send them home!

I'm afraid I only used to babysit under sufference.
The 2 weeks I moved into hers to look after the kids, (not goats, in case of confusion or outrage) the mad dog and the cat were.. quite a challenge for me.

I like anytime I can get with my grandson, but I think he's the only one I'm getting so I like to make the most of him.

I don't like babysitting mine either. I don't like the responsibility of it. I love to see them, but I want their parents there as well. I loved being mum, but I'm not so keen on being granny. You don't have the same status. Our elder two grandchildren (my son's kids) were terrible when they were little as well but as soon as they were left with DH and me I didn't put up with any messing about and I think kids actually like discipline. They behaved much better for us when their parents weren't around. They're 11 & 9 now and much more civilised thankfully

I think some adult children still think of their parents – or parents-in-law – as existing solely for their convenience and not having any life outside the family or having personal needs and desires in the way they perceived their parents when they were children. That is understandable with children, if occasionally somewhat irritating, but it is not acceptable once they become adults. Grandparents are not a service industry and should not be treated as such.

I love to see my grandchildren but don't enjoy babysitting in the evenings - I don't like putting them to bed and then sitting there bored and uncomfortable (because I'm not in my own home) waiting for the parents to come home, then driving home in the dark. I do plenty of helping out during the daytime though, picking them up from school etc., so thankfully I am rarely called upon to babysit in the evenings.

you are under no obligation to do any babysitting/childcare at all.
it is hard work, even for younger people.
you've done your bit. just be vague and unavailable if it is suggested, or say something like, sorry, not me, no can do.

phoenix I think for my husband it was more a token to avoid any bad feeling with his sister and mum, but yes I quite agree!

You are not being unreasonable Mamie5 I agree with others too. Is there any way you could just have a short visit?
Would it be difficult to broach the subject of their behaviour with your son and daughter in law. It's a shame when you can't enjoy your grandchildren.

V3ra I don't think I would have even bothered to send vouchers, obnoxious little sods don't deserve anything!

Is your daughter-in-law aware of how badly behaved you think her children are?

My husband has two nephews who were similarly unpleasant company as children.
We called one Christmas to deliver presents and they stayed upstairs, pulling faces at us through the banisters.
Once we were back in the car my husband said that was the last time, send them a voucher through the post from now on. I didn't argue with him!

What everyone else says!
You will have to say ‘no’ sometimes and I don’t blame you.

I understand you completely, especially with the lack of discipline problem. I had four children, and am happy to help as much as I can with my grandchildren, providing they behave, whether it’s my house or theirs. Discipline is very different now, involving more ‘ negotiating’ with the children. That’s fine as long as it doesn’t effect me or my husband. You are well within your rights to say no. You’ve done your bit. It’s our time to rest. Not all grandparents want to be with their grandchildren all the time.