Being a good grandma/nanny

If your 11 year old grandson is happy to FaceTime with you, then you have been doing something right! Enjoy these times.

Nannymagic I know exactly what you mean, I want to be that grandparent too! I've found it's the simple things that my grandchildren seem to love and remember, so a few things we've done: played hunt the thimble (warm, warm, cold), guessing which hand a tiny toy is in, going through my costume jewellery and trying it all on, playing card games like "pairs", crafting, just simple things like glitter glue, gems, googly eyes to stick on card (girls in particular love glitter and gems), baking simple things like fairy cakes. I ask Alexa to play childrens action songs and we dance around to them like crazy, go in the garden and blow bubbles, hunt for bugs, plant seeds, picnic lunches on a blanket in the garden or in the living room if it rains. What will be remembered is the 100% love and attention you give them. Hope this helps.

My g/kids ( 7 of them ) have always lived far away, but that means ( obv not at moment) that when I go it’s for a week, or 3 to the ones who lived in Japan for a while. You think they won’t remember you but they do especially with technology. Mine all loved ( still do ) games that I played when I was wee, such as grandmas footsteps, fruit and flower, ball games against wall, snap, ludo, beatle drive. They all loved fuzzy felts and we would make lots of stories round the pictures , special days out for each one. My youngest g/daughter as loved playing hospitals for last 4 years ( she’s nearly 10 now ) and has co-opted her wee brother in as assistant, I’m the patient and have to be sick in bowls and dollies stuck up my jersey as pregnant. Enjoy, don’t overthink and be yourself, even if I tell my lot off they still love me

I, too, lost many family members when I was young. What I remember, very clearly, is their hugs and little kindnesses. My gran sat outside for hours with me, shelling peas, making daisy chains and reading to me. Her hugs were filled with love. Your grandchildren will remember all those little things (once we're allowed to do them again) so don't feel you need to do anything in particular. The tea party sounds fantastic!

You sound like a lovely Nanny to have, I echo what another lady said, get photos of you both, selfies if necessary, as they are part of their world now. My Nana only ever seemed to be disappointed in me and Grandad disliked me because I wasn't like my brothers, and I was adopted so I never felt approved of. I think your grandchildren are So Lucky. Just love every single moment.

A tea party - what a lovely idea x

I didn’t know any of my grandparents so took my MiL as a role model. She always had time for our children and as a former reception class teacher always managed educational play which was fun - as suggested elsewhere, the button box provided lots of activity, books and felt pens, dominoes (ours have coloured spots so children could colour match before they understood numbers), “helping” in the kitchen - all things I went on to do with my GC. In summer making gardens in a seed tray was very popular as was any kind of digging and filling the child sized wheelbarrow and taking the contents to the compost bin.

We did acquire quite a lot of toys second hand - trike, dolls pram etc and GD1 would get out of the car on arrival enquiring “where are my things?” I so miss those days.

Nannymagic you sound a very kind caring nanny. My dgc love me to just read with them or draw pictures. I make playdough and we make things together with it. My dgd loves tea parties too. We have a plastic tea set and she lines up her soft toys to eat tiny sandwiches, which of course she has to eat for them, and put squash in the little teapot which is the part she likes. Simple things are best think then you don't need to get stressed!

Do you have a 'button box'?
I used to love playing with my mum's (a big Quality Street tin) which was passed down to me for my children to enjoy.
Heaps of scope - counting, shape and colour sorting, threading with a big fat needle and a length of wool. Using as 'coins' for pretend shopping play etc.
Ribbons, spools of thread ditto..
You sound a lovely, warm nana!
Do tell us how your day went - and keep in touch!?

Your tea party idea sounds lovely Nannymagic I think the great thing with us Nannies is to spend time with our grandchildren and enjoy being together. Don't try too hard relax and enjoy their company.

I used to cook with mine too. Cake mixes then progressing to cooked lunches. My middle GD still likes to cook. We also used to have s few days by the sea, they still remember that, it was lovely last year when the eldest GD said 'do you remember when we....'. Little games are fun too - we used to hide a tiny ornament and take turns in finding it. Crafts of all sorts, just be interested in them.

Get someone to take photos of you with your DGC, especially in your home. When they have their own children they can share the photos and memories with them. Enjoy your tea party.

I always love ‘doing’ with the GC and am exhausted when they go as we’re such busy, busy bees. The smallest GD (5) also goes to her other grannys who does very little with her but loves her just the same. GD really enjoys going there just to spend time with her.
I loved going to my grandmas’ houses but I can’t remember them playing with me. I just followed them around chatting and joining in with whatever they were doing. Just a lovely time together. ♥️

My grandchildren have always loved cooking with me - we started off when they were very little with packet cake mixes and moved on from there. Gingerbread biscuits are very popular.
Jigsaw puzzles and board games are good as you can do them together.
I let them do the messy things they weren’t allowed at home - play dough and painting and crafting. You can buy cheap kits in places like The Works and Poundland.
Most of all I had a collection of books which we could read snuggled up in the big armchair. You can always find them in charity shops (when they open).
However, these activities reflect my personality and I am sure if you are just yourself, as has been suggested, you will do just fine. I think most of all GC want to be relaxed and not pushed into doing things. They just appreciate that GPs have more time for them than their busy parents sometimes do.

What a lovely lady and nanny you sound.
Have a wonderful day with your granddaughter

You sound like a wonderful Nana to me!
I think our GC find their own memories of us, which aren't always as we planned. We are unique, because we have time to focus on them without all the day to day pressures of being a parent.
I have a feisty GD who has always been very self contained, and I'm never quite sure if I'm making contact. As she moves into being a teenager, I try to spend time doing ordinary things with her, or even beside her at the dining table, giving her space to talk. Anyone's guess if this is helpful, but maybe I will find out one day.
Being there for them is the best thing, whether in person or by phone or video link.

Don't forget the washing up!! Lots of bubbles (on noses) and splashing!!

Namnymagic17 I think you're right on to it - especially with your memorable name.
I'm pinching your dolls tea party idea for my GD.
She loves coming here & going for a random-route walk quite often it's her choice.
Sometimes we end up on the beach where we both marvel at the pebbles we find which leads to more discussion.
My Grandmother used to tell me the names & uses of the plants I still know today. One of the thinks I remember fondly, was being allowed to help myself to her cake tin. A freedom unique to her home.

One of the main things I remember about my lovely Grandma was her lovely smile when she opened the door to me. She was obviously delighted to see me. She lived in Wales and I only saw her occasionally. She was very special.

Sometimes when I’m talking to my now grown up nieces they surprise me by telling me things like they loved coming to my house because I let them be messy and untidy! I always had sewing and knitting projects on the go and would give them scraps of ribbon and stuff to play with. Also I know how to make paper boats and puppets ? It’s not always the obvious things that children enjoy and remember. Giving them your time and attention can mean so much to them.

Hello Nannymagic17. I think you're obviously very caring and I have no doubt that your grandchildren will respond to that alone. If you want to do more then, from experience, I know that children respond to people who really take the time to listen to them and show a genuine interest in their lives.

I have a tradition with my grandchildren of being the granny who buys them books. I fostered a love of books in my own children and it was a sort of given that when the grandchildren came along I would be their 'Granny Book'. Happily my grandchildren love books too, so I keep a close eye out for book trends and buy both the classics and more modern stories, poems and plays for them. My 11 year old is currently really enjoying a book about Latin.

I don’t remember any ‘grand’ adventures with my granny, just humble memories. Teaching me to make daisy chains, pushing me in her wheelbarrow, playing cards. They are all much treasured memories. Be yourself and you will be a perfect nanny to your darling gc.

Thank you for everyone’s kind replies here x. I have tried to reply to some but my replies are not showing and I will try again in the morning. It’s probably just me and not the site ?? Thank you for the kind words xx

Thank you so much Redhead56 x. I will let you know x

OP,

I would ask your gc what she would like to do. The tea party is also a great idea!