Child Minding

gas had

Flower give it a go. I looked after all my GC, and at one time gas 3 under 5s for a year. Yes, it's hard work, worse during the winter months when you can't get out as much.

Now, apart from school runs, I just have the 3-year old a couple of mornings a week, but I do miss them so much now they're at school. I'll never regret that time I had with them.

Give it a go. You are one of the best people to look after your grandchildren and you will have such a bond with the new baby. I lived 150 miles away when my twin grandchildren were born and stayed a week at a time to help my daughter. I'm sure you can manage for two days and it seems they have a real awareness of what they're asking and won't take advantage. You won't know until you try and can say no if it's too much.

My friend is doing almost exactly what you are considering doing, but for four days. She always said she would just give it a trial run, but she started last September and loves it. I saw an awful lot of her at first, she would bring them here until they settled into a routine. She said just tonight at choir that the only thing that annoys her is if they are later than 5.30 to pick up, as she has really had enough by then.

I would do it, if you do though do it at their house, it's so much easier.

I am currently staying at my son and DIL's house to help out with my GSs while my son does extra study. DIL has her own business so they needed help. I miss my own home and haven't had a sleep in past 7am since 21st December when I came to stay, I was going to stay a longer time this year until my GS's birthdays at their requests which would have been the end of February. Now I probably won't be home until July.

It will be a long day but it's only two days a week and not in school holidays. You won't regret it.

I'd say go for it. If you'd like to I'm sure you would be able to and in fact children keep you young. You can always stop if you find it too difficult.
As others have said, I would give it a try.

We had no choice but to have our twin grandchildren for the first 13 months of their lives. I was 61 and DH was still working. They were good babies and we enjoyed having them. Now, with reduced mobility, I would find it much more difficult but would still have a go if necessary.It is surprising where energy comes from when needed.

As much as I'd want to help out in your situation I know I couldn't manage it, it will be a very long day and require concentration, patience and endurance and as much as we may wish it weren't so, at our age (I'm 66) we don't have those things in sufficient quantities to take on such responsibility. You sound like a really loving and caring family I'm sure they'll understand if you say no..

Maybe as you say give it a try but don't feel guilty if you can't manage it.

It is lovely that your son married the daughter of your best friend. I understand how it must make it hard for you to say no as, of course, if she was still here, she would be helping them out. Perhaps give it a try for those couple of weeks. See how it goes. Would DH be able to help at all?

It is part of the dilemma Jingle. The baby would only be 4 months in real terms as she was born at 27 weeks gestation and not due until end of March. I'm only up the road from them. I am willing to give it a try, it will only be a couple of weeks in Sept and Oct, then up to Christmas holidays. I know that they will understand though if I say 'No' I am 67 this May. I do do a lot of walking , volunteering and am very active so I don't think they see my as 'old' although I do feel it sometimes. I do keep thinking about my dear friend who is no longer here. More so now that her daughter and my son are married.

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic to your son and d-i-l, and I don't know the answer for them. But it just sounds too much.

So, you would be looking after two babies under two - one a tiny baby of six or seven months - for two ten-hour days a week? And you are how old? Your profile says 65, and that's probably been there a couple of years now.

You can't do it. You can't be expected to. It would be too much for you.

Forgot to mention, my lovely DiL has not got a mother, her mum (my very best friend ) died aged 46 when Dil was only 17. In a way, I suppose, I am also considering doing this for my friend.