A few minutes of tv . I am now an arch-criminal

My nephew and niece used to do that, "shall we see if she's awake".

Oh yes, awake, alert and raring to go!

I used to say "come and tell me a story".
Then, the second she started, I'd be snoring.
I only managed it a few times before she wised up.

lemongrove

How lucky they are to have childcare ( free!) for several days a week.
Be firm with your DD and say you are older now and it’s hard work ( there’s a reason 70 olds don’t have toddlers)!
If you need some quiet sit down time she will have to agree that he/she can have some suitable children’s tv time.If not then you cannot continue to do this for her.
Why is everyone so afraid of what their AC say these days?
Our children still see us as the Mum they grew up with and are thoughtless sometimes.

Yes, this, as lemon says.

A bit of TV never hurt anyone as long as its not holly oaks or love island ?

Everyone is very holy about TV and claiming only half an hour a day etc. ?
My grandchildren are with me for a week…. Without some quiet tv time I would be a wreck ! It’s not a crime and actually bbc has loads good stuff.

Oh FGS a bit of TV is not going to hurt any child. I can remember plonking my children in front of the TV (Thomas the Tank and Postman Pat) regularly; my husband worked away and it was the only way I could get some peace to do a bit of housework or make their tea. It certainly never did them any harm - one has a 1st Class Honours degree and never watches TV and the other has a Masters and only ever watches sport! I agree with other posters who suggest that you should tell your DD that you get tired and need some down time, or if they are not happy with that, then you need to reduce your hours. I think you are marvellous to be doing 3 days childcare; I am younger than you and a real busybody and can't sit still - but 1 day a week with my 3 year old DGS exhausts me!

The parents need to understand that watching appropriate television programmes with an adult is exactly the same as sharing a book; informed comment and discussion plus enjoyment.

You can’t relax for a minute with little ones and if they don’t have a nap than it’s full on the whole day. A bit of Teletubbies or Hey Duggee gets a bit of sit down and cuddle time and maybe a minute to go to the toilet without an audience. I’d go with “sorry it’s all too much , I know you object to tv , but I can’t guarantee we are never going to watch it, especially if it’s a wet day, so do you want me to continue with as much childcare- shall I cut down to one day?”

Personally I prefer watching a film with DGD to watching endless 10 minute cartoons with endless ads.

Good thinking vegansrock that should concentrate their minds.

maddyone

lemongrove

How lucky they are to have childcare ( free!) for several days a week.
Be firm with your DD and say you are older now and it’s hard work ( there’s a reason 70 olds don’t have toddlers)!
If you need some quiet sit down time she will have to agree that he/she can have some suitable children’s tv time.If not then you cannot continue to do this for her.
Why is everyone so afraid of what their AC say these days?
Our children still see us as the Mum they grew up with and are thoughtless sometimes.

Yes, this, as lemon says.

I’m with lemongrove
At 70 yrs of age a toddler 3 days a week is tough, I would be tearing my hair out and if my DD had complained I would have told her where to go.
If they don’t like Grandmas rules then they should find someone else to do it, they sound very inflexible, which doesn’t bode well for the future.

I am 73 and now it is school holidays I am on the rota for looking after grandchildren. During term time I collect from 3 different schools 3 afternoons a week and cook tea for them all on Mondays. This week I have between 2-4 grandchildren for 4 days this week. On Monday I took 2 to a wildlife centre, today it is 3 to the cinema, tomorrow, 1 to the cinema and Saturday, 2 to soft play. Even days spent indoors are a constant stream of getting drinks, wiping bottoms, cooking meals, clearing up glue and glitter and tidying up. It's exhausting so I can fully understand why you needed to sit down for a while and I hope you told his parents that. I love my grandchildren and enjoy my time with them but I am getting older but that isn't taken into consideration.

Well I think we re pretty unanimous on this !! Mine actually have watched a lot of wildlife stuff and some programmes on bbc about bodies ( it sex stuff) as well as children’s programmes And have learned a lot .

My thoughts exactly nanaK54.
I wouldn`t believe for one minute the parents don`t let the child watch tv whilst tehy are concentrating on something.

I think they are lucky to have you and they are being unreasonable. 20 minutes of tv and you get a telling off!
That's not fair.

FGS, MittensMum, I’d be withdrawing my childcare services PDQ! I’d tell them they’re more than welcome to find a (usually very expensive) alternative.

I was 67 when the first Gdc arrived (there are now 3) and I don’t mind admitting that when doing regular childcare* I found the likes of CBeebies a godsend for when I needed a bit of peace.

I don’t think parents often realise how much more tiring young children can be when you’re getting on a bit.

*no regular childcare any more, but still do one offs/emergencies, inc. having the 2 elder (5 and 6) to stay now and then during the holidays. If my dd told me they weren’t allowed to watch any TV at all, she’d soon find herself paying for full time holiday club instead! But I doubt it’d even occur to her.

Would like to know if they ban TV completely at their home? Are they really never that tired that they don't bend ' their ' rules.? Our GC do not have time on computers at home but allowed here as it's so tiring for us otherwise. It is carefully timed and supervised. It gives us time for a cup of coffee and a sit down. Either they let you do your thing or get someone else to look after GC ie pay!

Tell them it’s time to find a new sitter. At our age a toddler for more than a few hours is a big ask. You should be enjoying your time with him not looking to have a rest. Get your time back for yourself, you’ve earned it.

Mittensmum , I absolutely empathise with you and I know how exhausting a toddler can be. I don't think it's a big deal to have a short amount of screen time.
I have been looking after my DGC 3 days a week for about 3 years, first my DGD until she started nursery, and now my DGS since 1 yr old, he will soon be 2 yrs. All in all, I've clocked up a lot of hours and some days are up to 10 hrs.
However, I and DH (sometimes) have thoroughly enjoyed caring for them, but indeed it is a labour of love.
In all this time, we've had nothing but appreciation from our DS and DIL, I am sure they realise the value of our help, early starts, late pick ups etc.
I would be very upset if they criticised how I look after
them, they know they are well cared for and they don't have to worry.
Luckily, they both have always taken a good nap after lunch, which allows me to catch up and have a rest.
If you are finding it too tiring, you could always cut down by a day each week, when they can arrange alternative childcare perhaps you will be appreciated a bit more.

Point out that if tantrums occur it is not while you are looking after him. What the parents do or say before these tantrums is worth investigation.
Has DD heard that children who watch tv with texts tend to learn to recognise words?
Otherwise I think I would have to admit 3 days is too much - but prepare yourself for DD’s tantrum and her putting DGS in a nursery for the three days

Do they just turn their TV in when he goes to bed, probably not. I'm sure he enjoyed sitting watching it with you, just a bit of time out together, I know some kids who sit with mobile phones in front of them. If they want someone to run around entertaining him all day long they should maybe think of a nursery school.

As a single parent both my Mum and Dad would support me with childcare many years ago.
Not only was I extremely grateful, it allowed me to study / work but it gave my boy's the opportunity to have a close, loving relationship with them - which thankfully they did.

I had absolute and total trust in them both and my son's have wonderful memories of being with them...yes, they did allow things that perhaps I wouldn't occasionally but isn't that part of the package?
I credit them with helping raise two wonderful men!

Did you know in advance that television was banned?

If you did, I understand the reactions from the child's parents.

In their answers no-one seems to take into consideration that some small children can be very upset by something in a children's programme that no-one else has ever found upsetting.

I once knew a little girl of two who adored Barbar the Elephant, but could not bear the scene were little Celestine is given a new pink dress! Nothing scary about that to a grown-up, but the child could literally not watch it and would run out of the room, or ask us to spool on past it on a video.

Next time you need a rest which is after all only reasonable, read a book to him! But don't watch TV with him if it leads to this kind of fuss - he will sooner or later tell his parents that you let him watch it, and you neither could, should or will, I am sure, teach him to lie.

You are 70 and looking after your grandson 3 days a week! For goodness sake they need to realise that you may need a rest.
If they dont like just 20mins a day of tv then tell them to find a nursery to have their son.
You are doing your very best for him and they need to realise that and be thankful to you instead of moaning at you

Totally shocked by the behaviour of your adult child and their partner. Imo they are completely taking the p***. They both obviously work which is their choice but are unwilling to pay for professional child care. They probably have a much higher lifestyle than we grannies had as young Mums back in the day. The rules of the childcare should be arrived at mutually and not just what this selfish pair would like in an ideal world. Granny's age in particular must be considered and in my experience as a 75yr old granny with a three year old granddaughter that I occasionally look after, a bit of CBeebies (which is very educational) is the only time my granddaughter will sit down quietly giving me the chance of a cuppa and put my feet up. How dare you AC give you a telling off! It's them that need the metaphorical slap round the legs.