Childminding for grandaughter

I have taken care of my granddaughter since she was 8 weeks old (daughter in law is a dr and strange hours too at times) I drive a half hour outside the city to do this. I had just retired when I started doing it and I do have some health issues severe diabetes is one and I have been in hospital for a week or two here and there but back at it right after. I loved her dearly and it is the only time I see her but I have found it harder lately now she is 2 and a half if I had one change I wish I had put a time limit on it as there is no plan in the works for her to go a daycare or even part time program and I am older now and finding it harder. It sounds like you have it in hand though as far as terms. I don't find it too lonely but I have no time to do anything else as I go every weekday. I am also on my own so there have been times when I struggled physically due health issues. Best of luck to you though as it does build a bond that is very strong between the two of you! As this is my son's child I would never have seen her this much otherwise.

I’m a registered childminder and obviously have looked after many children including my grandson over the last 32 years. Early years is such very precious time in their life. They grow and develop so quickly. I’ve loved my job but be aware it takes it’s toll on your joints, especially as you get older and the child gets heavier. I’m winding down now and will be retiring work early when I’m 61 ish. Id be surprised if they get funding for 2 year olds, as they would need to have certain circumstances e.g be on job seekers allowance or employment and support allowance if so it is for 15 hours a week term-time. Unless it is something their employer funds? 30 hours term time is for 3+ year olds until school.
Definitely have structure to your day, toddler groups are great. ( just opened this week in my town). Lots of grandparents attend them and can be a lovely place to make friends. The library usually do a baby bounce and rhyme time. Even going to the play parks can be sociable. Take care and I hope you enjoy this special time and bond you will make with your grandchild. I did and have a very close relationship with my grandson ?

Yes it is tiring but the joy and closeness you get is worth it, look out for churches and the library for play and singing sessions. Pack them a snack and visit a coffee shop for a revitalising drink. Feed the ducks rock in the swings etc. When you need a few minutes calm turn onto CBbs you will soon know various signs from Mr Tumble etc

join a mums/nans and baby group, nowadays there are more grans/nans than mums as they all need to work, this will help little one socialise and give you support too

I was 63 when I looked after my grandaughter 4 days a week 9-3.15, then 4 afternoons til 3.15pm after preschool and school and all day in the school holidays. She is now 13 and knows I am just down the road if she needs me. I don't drive but going on the bus was a novelty to her and on market day everyone on the bus made a fuss of her. I loved it and have a great bond despite teenage hormones. Fortunately I was fit and well, still am at 76 touch wood!

That's quite a commitment - I wouldn't do it but that just me!

Some people have overlooked the fact that the OP is the great-grandmother.

It is a big commitment, and it is exhausting - but it's also very rewarding. We looked after our grandson a couple of days a week while he was a baby, and then we found ourselves plunged into a situation where our son and grandson had to come and live with us. We thought that would only be for a short time, but it was almost 20 months - and we had to look after the little one while his dad worked shifts (throughout the pandemic - he is a police officer). They've only just moved out. I won't lie - it was exhausting and it's probably put years on me, but we had no other option and even though it was so hard at times, it was lovely to have our grandson here and play such a major role in his development.

I looked after my granddaughter and grandson. My granddaughter now goes to nursery 3 days,a week so only have my 18 month old grandson. Now it seems easy as he naps for a good hour and a half (although l know that won't last). I really miss my granddaughter as she is good company chatting all the time.It has been hard work. I'm 67 and still working 18 hours a week, but l never had the opportunity with my other grandchildren as l worked fulltime. I have said l'll do it while l can as lm in good health. If things changed then it would have to be changed. I'm only doing one day now as.l was doing 2 days a week. It's exhausting but enjoy this time with your grandchild. A few years and they won't need you so much when the little one goes to nursery and then school .

Have just done 10 weeks of school holidays with our 8yrs and 3 yrs grandchildren. Great fun but there are two of us although we tend to do activities as a foursome. This has been in France where its very common place to see grandparents in charge over the holidays. Good luck Evergreen 21, you will build up a great bond.

I have and still look after my grandchildren when their parents are at work as childcare is so expensive and I want to help them. I take them to the park or when very small to music groups it’s amazing how all the other mums chat to you so it’s not lonely. They also have a few special toys here that they don’t at home so that helps also. I now have a fantastic relationship with my grandchildren that I would not have had had they not been with me a couple of days a week hope it goes well for you.

I look after my two year old grandson 5 days a week and do the school run for 2 granddaughters. I've done this for a while now and love my time with them. I have a really close relationship with them all. I don't however do this for free I gave up a good job to look after them as it was cheaper to pay me. I'm 57 and fit but it's very tiring and isulating.

Evergreen21 - you will do this and rather than walking into a situation where you will be isolated, you will actually be opening doors into a wider world. At 9 months old, your ggc will benefit from baby music groups, 2-hour play groups, story-reading time in your local library, and of course a push around the park. At all of these things you will meet younger childminders - parents, nannies, and some older ones too. It was my own experience of caring for my first gd for three days a week in my early 60s that I met lots of new friends of all ages - I was welcomed into conversations/communities and met some lovely people, some of whom I still see in a book group. You will only be isolated if you choose to be. Your gd must be so proud to have you as her gm and willing to be so much a part of her life.

I was 67 when I did just one day a week (I offered) with Gdd, from 9 to 15 months, when the 2nd baby arrived. I found that fine, since she was still having at least one good nap in the day.

Not sure I’d have offered more, and I didn’t offer for 2 of them, with no simultaneous nap time guaranteed - just too tiring - I really did need that P and Q time. We offered help with childcare costs instead - I do realise we were fortunate to be able to do so.

I/we still do one offs and emergencies though.

I do this for my 9month old granddaughter and love every minute ?
She’s a ‘high maintenance’ baby needing lots of input so I am pretty exhausted after my 2 days but just enjoy it
Last week we went to the local farm shop for tea and toast and she loved feeding the chickens there and looking at the pigs
Today we are having messy play in the garden with spaghetti …. Followed by the paddling pool to cool off and get clean!!!
I’m 65 with arthritis so crawling round on the floor isn’t easy but I’m determined to enjoy every minute! Before you know it they will be at school and you won’t be needed!!

I'm now 73 and have 3 grandchildren 10, 7 and 4 that I've looked after 2 days a week from when the oldest was 10 months old. The youngest is just about to start school. I live a distance away so stay overnight. Its hard work and tiring but I'm so glad I've done it as I feel so close to them. So different from just a visit now and then. You'll be fine, just enjoy it

I think you'll love it. There is so much you can do with little ones. I had the time of my life helping to look after my small GS. I am only sorry now that he's in his teens and doesn't need looking after. You should be able to have lots of adventures together.

"Rest" ..not return!!!

It is well worth doing if you can, building a relationship is special. Syggestions:

*decide on and develop a clear routine with them for your days together, obviously fitting in with normal/parental routines but fitting in with your needs as well
* find out about what is around to take them to. Maybe little music group sessions for tiniest, library sessions with nursery rhymes, toddler group nearby, to help fill time and give variety.
*plan a few specific activities, maybe have "yoyr" toys to take, so tgere is something different to play with
*adapt as they grow up, change things to fit new developments
*as appropriate, allow breather time for you to sit and return..during nap time or if nothing else 20 minutes of C beebies as that becomes interesting to them
* messy and wet always works so outside with water , supervised, is a good one, or inside in bath as they grow.

Good luck and enjoy!

Not selfish at all Gingster you have done so much for your family already you certainly deserve some time for yourself now. Enjoy your life.

Yes be firm from the start. It isn’t easy to backtrack.
I’ve been there and done that. I have 8 GC and although haven’t had all of them on a regular basis, I told my DD when she had her 4th child, I wouldn’t be available to have her , only for the odd babysitting session. Dd completely understood. I have had 3 of my own, looked after 3 bereaved children for 10 years and had my 8Gc on and off. Now is ‘me time’. I would be resentful if I could not follow my various hobbies and clubs and shoot off to our holiday home, at a moments notice.
Selfish? I hope not.

My advice would be to be honest with your grandchildren if it is too much for you. I have 2 grandchildren twice a week and have asked DD to put the eldest age 2 in nursery 1 of those days for which I will pay as I find it exhausting to be honest and I don’t want it to become a chore as it is such a pleasure at the moment so come October he is off to nursery for one of those days. Honesty is the best policy all round.

OP

You have valid concerns.

Why not start slowly (1 day a week or less) and move on from there, see how it goes?

I have been looking after my oldest 2 grandchildren for the past 18 years, 2 days a week….picking up from school etc, giving them tea, taking them to after school activities.. I don’t know how I did it, but I was younger then. I also have 4 toddler grandchildren now. Their mums don’t work, so I don’t have to help out on a regular basis, just the odd babysitting. I think I benefited emotionally, I was freshly separated and divorced and took my mind away from that. Good luck and consider it lucky you are so involved with your GC, since many on GN are denied that special relationship.

We looked after our two grandchildren for two or three days a week, one from shortly after birth. We still have our grandchildren during holidays and three days after school.
Although it can be tiring at times, I have enjoyed it but I do feel rather guilty that my grandchildren get far more emotional input and and attention than my children did - simply because I was working then and wasn't as good at prioritising my children as I should have been.

Having said all that, my husband is here as well and he does quite a lot too so I think it would be more tiring doing it single handedly. See how it goes but don't be afraid to say if you are finding two days too much.

I can't understand why nurseries are so expensive in this country. I believe fees are much cheaper in other countries.

My gran watched my eldest for about a year to cover the gap between me going back to work and nursery starting - exactly the same as your situation.

She had a ball, and the relationship between my gran and DD was a joy to see. I remember coming home from work one day and my gran and daughter had turned the living room into a fort with pillows and duvets everywhere and my gran telling me she’d taught my DD how to do jooglie wilkies (forward rolls), she was 78 at the time.
I hope you have the same fun my gran did, and enjoy your time.

And thanks for the post in general, am sat here in tears remembering the most wonderful kind women I ever had the pleasure of knowing in my late gran.