Long distance grandparents

I'm nearly 73. My eldest DD has two children now 13 and 11 and when very small DH and I looked after them two days a week. We could not survive any more - thoroughly exhausting!

Younger DD is having IVF and we hope it succeeds, but she lives 180 miles away so heaven knows how we would manage to help her out even though we would (a) love to do so and (b) would be much needed as no other rellies live any closer. We do have a touring caravan we take down there several times a year but even so I doubt we would manage more than a day at a time. DH can barely manage himself (he is 78).

Btw the GCs listed are from different daughters obviously 🙄

Is very tiring for older grandparents, I mean I know some of our ACs want a career and a life free of kids before finally getting pregnant, but this means they have children when we are in our late sixties/seventies, we have a grandchild aged nearly a year, one aged 2 and a half, and another aged 18 months, and have just been babysitting most of the week. Is shattering. But have now said no on occasion in order to recharge our batteries and told them this, because they need to know we get really tired.
You really can’t keep this up, be honest and say you are feeling whacked.
All the best.

Well done for saying no! Please dont feel guilty either.

Of course you tired, well done for saying no. I think our adult children often forget we are ageing! We are just Mum and capable!! In the future just do what you can manage - and don't feel guilty if you say no. The travelling alone is tiring , they live in France so child care is their responsibility.

It would be a lot to contend with if they lived locally. Travelling from Worcester to Paris and back on top - NO!

Pleased you said no and put your foot down goodness you have to think of yourself it’s very hard work. I looked after some of my grandchildren it’s exhausting lol.totally normal to feel tired HarryTigger
Do not feel guilty I wouldn’t! You have helped out.have a rest!

No! combined with the travelling you are bound to be whacked. There choice to live abroad so it should be up to them to sort childcare. Its great to help but as we age it can prove very tiring. Don't feel guilty.

Of course you're tired with both childcare and travelling to cope with. I looked after my GD several times when she was 3 and 4 and I was younger than you. Just filling the day was exhausting.

Sometimes the parents just have to cope themselves. Go when you can!