Help me be a good Granny!

To be great

Congrats Op you are going to great, as you have the right attitude

Hithere has made some very good points

How wonderful.I moved in and stayed with my DD for 3 weeks when her first baby was due (her partner was happy with this arrangement as he worked long hours and felt happier is she wasn't home alone around her due date) baby was 2 weeks over due in the end! I always knew I wouldn't be interfering but cooked,cleaned and took the baby for an hour so they could sleep.Its the practicle things that help the most in those early days.My daughters in-laws would turn up and stay for hours,not offering anything practicle,or cooking etc and showed no discretion when she needed to breast feed her baby.Saying they were fine with it(my DD however was not fine with them being there,why should she leave the room) If my DD is stressed or exhausted I always say "what can I do to help" rather than swoop in and take the baby.
Wonderful of you to do the childcare when the time comes.A grandchild is an extension of your children,so its different to minding Nieces,Nephews or friends children.I got my own car seat,high chairs and travel cot along with the necessities,to save my DD bringing everything with her.
Wishing your DD all the best with the birth.It's such an exciting and precious time. I would also say,don't think too far ahead, for now.You'll have a few months before your DD goes back to work

What my dd really appreciated in the very early days, was someone turning up with a meal that just had to go in the oven to be heated up.

I have a very hands-on SiL but would just get on and do anything non-baby that obviously needed doing - putting washing on, hanging it up, sweeping the floor, etc.

A little bit later, as pps have said, taking the baby out in the pram for an hour, so that she could rest and with a bit of luck enjoy a doze.
Should add, though, that I don’t have the sort of dd who would see doing anything unasked as ‘interfering’.

My daughter lived abroad and asked me not to fly over until baby was 2 weeks old. She and son-in-law wanted time to bond with baby. I booked a flight 2 weeks after the expected delivery date. Baby arrived 2 weeks late at the same time as my flight landed! They returned home from hospital and my daughter was as white as a sheet and both she and my son-in-law looked exhausted. I made tea and listened to their account of the birth then took their dog for a walk leaving them to themselves. Thereafter I kept out of the way but did the twice daily dog walks, housework and the evening meals and anything else they asked me to do. I'm sure they didn't anticipate their initial exhaustion. They quickly learned to ask for help and I soon I became a hands-on Granny. In other words the parents called the shots and I responded!

Congratulations! Just the fact that you are asking others lets me know you are being thoughtful and considerate.

I agree with others above - let your daughter guide you. Text or call before you drop by, but always be prepared to fold laundry while she naps, or help with meals etc. The first few weeks can be sore and teary for a new mum, and a special time for her to bond with new baby and with husband as a new dad.

Be supportive without putting your wants first - let your dd and sil call the shots.

Offer help and if the offer is not accepted - wait for them to reach out.

Do not put all your hopes and dreams on your gc and forget your dd and sil exist

Talk to your dd and sil and discuss what they expect of you as a grandmother, as you could have different expectations

Ask your daughter what help she needs. If she wants some shopping, or a meal cooking for her in the early days then you could do that. If she wants to sleep you could mind the baby - take him out for a walk if possible so she can get a proper rest. I've spent many happy hours in the local cemetery with a pram - it's very peaceful.
Be there to listen if she needs someone to talk to.
One thing I did in the very early days was accompany my daughter and GS to toddler groups and baby classes - it can be very daunting walking in on your own when you don't know anyone.
Later on she might want you to have the baby for longer periods if she has somewhere she wants to go - the hairdressers, or for coffee with a friend.
Think very carefully before you offer to have the child when your daughter returns to work. It is a big commitment and the relationship with your grandchild is different if you are their carer rather than simply their granny. It can be fun but is extremely exhausting, and once you've started doing it it is very difficult to change your mind. I did all the childcare or 2GSs until they started school so I know how challenging it can be. Make sure it is something you really want to do and can cope with.
Above all enjoy your grandchild. The relationship between granny and grandchild is very special and not like anything you have with another person.