interaction with a granddaughter

My GC have known from a very young age that grandma cannot lift them or play rough games - they just enjoy different interactions with me: reading, board games, music etc. And they know that they have to climb up onto a chair or their car seat by themselves. I just say I have a poorly leg - not entirely accurate, but they understand. My 2 year old GD tells me to "ring Dr Brown Bear for some medicine" - would it were that simple!

I am so very grateful for the response and diverse advice.

Thank you all very much indeed.

At the end of the day all I want is for my GD to have happy memories of her visits to us.

Best wishes to all grand parents.

Grampz

Why not insist that rough and tumble play requires leggings or trousers. Its what you are wearing (I assume you are not wearing a kilt or sarong!!). That will cover the personal privacy aspect. Then decide what you can manage to do with her and what is impractical. Could rough and tumble be floor based? Or big bad bear based where you move around slowly sounding threatening (in a kind grandfatherly way) while your DGD races around trying to keep out of your way. This works well in a garden.

My DC had a great uncle who would wear them out in an hour of hysterical activity (on their part) while doing very little himself. His main activity seemed to be egging them on to race round doing silly things while he watched. Both children, now in their 40's remember him and the games they played with great affection. His specialism was taking DC off our hands as soon as we arrived after a long journey. He said they would just walk to the beach and back. I do not know what happened when they got their but it always included 'accidentally' ending up in the water fully dressed, a squelchy walk back and the giggling fear that Mummy would be really cross. I would put on a suitable act and the day was complete.

Perhaps you could get Nana to get worried and keep telling you not to get DGD over excited or over tired so that DGD thinks everything you are doing is wildly exciting.

I think it would be sad to suddenly stop this play when you both enjoyed it so much. Much better to adjust what happens and engender the excitement, activity and 'safe' fear that goes with rough and tumble in other ways.

Elbow crutches are a great way of tiring out entertaining lively DGSs. When DH had his hips replaced they took it in turns charging round an obstacle course in the garden.

Just get your knee replaced, my grandson is very gentle with me now, once he saw the scar he calmed down. Bit drastic - perhaps.

I'm not sure I agree the games should stop completely, just like that. But the fact that you're scared of dropping your GD does make it sound as though the 'rough and tumble' is a bit OTT!

I know my own two GDs enjoyed the odd game of 'chase and tickle' with their granddad well after the age of 6 - young children do enjoy pretending to be frightened!

I agree with roses about encouraging calmer pursuits - think of things to engage her interest without you having to over-exert yourself. She's at the age when they really start to enjoy board games and discovering thing about nature. Good luck!

Yes there's lots of things you can do with her other than rough and tumble. Tell her you have a sore back or something rather than that you think she's too old for it? Good luck. You're doing the right thing.

As she's only 6 just say 'no' and stick with it. No need to scold her, change the subject and do something else.

I think that rough and tumble games with Grandad at that age should stop.
How about teaching her to play something that you don't find too tiring yourself as well, cards, woodwork,gardening, jigsaw puzzles, a nature walk,but something calm anyway.