Granddaddy Daycare

One thing I gleaned from Jane Fearnley Whittingstall’s book is that all disposable nappies have a character on the front of the waist. Not sure if this is universally true, but it’s helped me to get them the right way round. Used terries for my own daughters.

Brilliant idea

Thank you to all the responders. I will clarify that I should not have used the word development really as I meant please advise me on age related activities etc. I.e. at what age I should be looking at what is appropriate things I can do.
As surmised by many yes my Daughter and partner live close and I already help out a few times a week including the dreaded (by me) experience of nappy changing whilst daughter had a nap (now a regular part of her visits to me)
At 4 weeks My Granddaughter has no idea I know what is happening but she is certainly getting used to my voice, poor her having to experience my singing!

Just remembered that I did a short open university course about baby's development when I had my first, as I was clueless. No idea if they still do such a thing now, but there might be something on line.

Congratulations. Not a big fan of books because as my mom used to say, "All babies are different and they don't come with a manual!". Follow the guidelines set by the parents and you won't go far wrong. Enjoy

Look out for groups which welcome grandparents with toddlers. I go to two, one specifically for that mix, another for all ages of carers/parents. Both a very welcoming and I've met loads of lovely people, and my grandchildren get to play with new toys and other kids. I did try another one which wasn't anything like so welcoming, either for grandparents or the children, so don't be disheartened if you don't like the first one you go to. Have a wonderful time, it's such a privilege to be able to look after little ones again. Best two days of my week when they're here!

My ds have rules, I merely follow the rules and do as they ask.

Don't worry the baby will come with multiple instructions !
You are in for the best time of your life,all you need to do is play,read stories,go for long walks ---you find out what true love really is,you will have so much fun for the rest of your life,I have done this 7 times.Good Luck

Sing, dance, take baby out in the buggy, nursery rhymes, read to baby, talk to baby.

Enjoy it all, it's the best.

PS Expect to be disproportionately exhausted

Oh you lucky thing - what a joy for you!

Just give him/her lots of cuddles and above all else enjoy!!

I recommend tge Good Granny guide by Jane fearnley - Whittingstall . It was given to me by my DiL (rather tongue in cheek!) when my first GC was born. Its ful of sensible advice (i including doing what parents ant) and ideas for entertaining them. Its written for grandmothers but equally applies to grandads!

As you are going to be a day-carer for your new grandchild you must live relatively close. Hopefully this will mean that you will get to spend lots of time with the baby and the new mum during the first 6 months. You will soon learn how mum does things and by the time you are chief daytime carer you will be amazed how comfortable and clued up you feel.
Most of all, enjoy your precious time with your GD and she will soon let you know what she wants...and I am sure that your daughter will be just a phone call away.
Your daughter obviously feels that you have all the skills and love necessary to look after her most precious little girl.
What a lovely compliment she is giving you...her trust.

Read with your grandchild! Choose books you both enjoy. Small children often like books that rhyme! My D.S. does a lot of craft activities with her little ones. I never had the time with my own as I worked full time although I did enjoy cooking with them. Enjoy!

You are so lucky. My dgs 145 miles away so only get to look after him when he is unwell and can't go to nursery. Read lots of stories and chat to bring speech on. Walks to park to collect leaves, go on swings. Playing with cars etc. Have fun you will make a very special bo d with him.

With our first grandchild grandpa was around more than I was and did some childcare. He'd been pretty good with our two daughters too. As he was merchant Navy he was home for a couple of months at a time and hands-on. One thing was that he was not inclined to say no or do things right.

With the second and third grandchildren I am around too and we share, set days each. Because I am used to being the one does the actual upbringing I stick more to daughter's rules, and she wants that as she feels she's lost control by having to reply on us. I think that applies quite often.

When it comes to the crunch though grandpa is a very good carer. All three love him and he is a coping person. Occasionally we do the care together and I can see how they love him. I hope you enjoy the grandchild as much as we have.

Try "From Birth to One" Maria Robinson. Available on Amazon. I've worked with this author and the book gives a very clear picture of emotional and intellectual development in the first year.

Spend as much time with your new grandchild as you can, and be as 'hands on' as possible over the next six months or so.
We did this with our DGS and the transition was simple, he's just as 'at home' in our house as he is in his own, in fact there are more toys here than there!
Don't worry about baby development, that's the parent's job, yours is to be loving, fun, and spoil the baby rotten!

I started looking after my DGS one day a week recently when he was 8 months old. We had a couple of trial afternoons and our DD did indeed send instructions of a typical day as well as a starter pack of nappies, wipes, snacks, Calpol, bibs and muslins as well as milk and bottles. Love my Mondays now getting to know the little fella!

Congratulations! I would look on Amazon,where you can often get a look inside the books.This gives you a feel of the content and style.As Hipsy said,you can read the reviews too.
Wishing you a happy and fun time with your daycare duties!

How wonderful for you, I look after my 2yr old DGS , and have done so for past 18mnths , and I can tell you yes, you'll be exhausted, yes, it's all different from having your own , but you will be the lucky recipient of a really strong and special bond with DGC. I read some books specifically on grand parenting by Miriam Stoppard, it covers child care and development, good advice.

Talk to your grandchild, engage with them and include them in everything you do. This helps with speech and vocabulary Toddler groups are great for socialising. Just have fun ☺

I think the main thing to remember is that you are the grand daddy not the parent. Obey to the last letter any instructions your DD and DSiL give you, however daft unless they are patently dangerous - and then enjoy your time with her.

I am deeply envious. Our DGC live over 200 miles away, we see them every six weeks or so and are in contact in between, but would have loved to have had the opportunity to look after them more.

I don`t set great store by books, it`s best to be a bit hands on and learn as you go. Babies rarely conform to what the text books say. My daughter 2 would never do anything regarding her first baby if it wasn`t in the book, disregarding anything I said. With her 2nd baby, the book never saw daylight!

Sorry New grandchild

I think I would visit your new grandchildren regularly and ask the parents if you can be hands on.
That way you will build up a relationship with your DGC and know all their little quirks, likes and dislikes.

I would then adhere to all the parents wishes on how they want their child raised.

The problem with getting a book is that that the parents may have different ideas and conflicts could arise.

Your DGC will probably arrive with a long list of instructions ☺

Congratulations you will have a lovely time and you will both have a very special bond