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Struggle carrying grand babies

(62 Posts)
Saxifrage Mon 21-Aug-23 08:37:14

I looked after our twin granddaughters by myself, from age of 1 tilll they went to school. I was also mid 60s. The only carrying I remember was taking them up and down stairs for afternoon nap in their cots. The rest was brief lifting into push chair or onto swings etc. we had a very useful floor level ball pit, once in that they stayed in one place while I went to the loo or made food etc

Maggiemaybe Mon 21-Aug-23 08:29:02

I found a similar thing happened when we started to look after our youngest grandson when I was only 66, Abitbarmy, and I see myself as fit too. It had been two years since I carried his cousin round with no problem, but I struggled taking the youngest upstairs for his nap, and had to enlist DH’s help. It didn’t help that he had the attic bedroom. smile

In my case I wonder if it was due to the after effects of Covid, which I’d had a few months earlier, as I feel my stamina levels have improved since then. Could this possibly be a factor with you?

Katyj Mon 21-Aug-23 08:11:35

Oh yes I know how you feel. It’s a bit of a shock isn’t it to find you can’t do as you used to. I lifted my 4 year old Granddaughter on to the kitchen worktop a while ago and pulled a muscle which kept me awake all night, I’ve learnt my lesson there.
I think your doing amazing well to look after twins. Just try to limited the amount of carrying around, and practice safe lifting from the floor, look online. Try and have a rest inbetween. Me and DH similar ages to you take it in turns to have a rest. Hope it’s not too long before their walking.
Oh and plenty of walks in the pushchair good for all of you.

Georgesgran Mon 21-Aug-23 08:10:09

Yes - I know!! I think I’ve had brain freeze this morning.
However my 5 year old DGS is very tall, but very slim and lightweight.

MerylStreep Mon 21-Aug-23 08:07:23

Georgesgran
How many 5 year olds weigh 20 pound ?

Farmor15 Mon 21-Aug-23 08:06:56

Georgesgran - OP didn't say what age her twin grandchildren are- older GD is 5. Presumably they are pre-walking.

Abitbarmy - after you start carrying them around, you may get better at it again, as long as you don't have any serious health issues. Weight training is supposed to be beneficial to older people! Others here may have suggestions about how to lift/carry safely. Are there stairs?

Joseann Mon 21-Aug-23 08:05:33

😆

Georgesgran Mon 21-Aug-23 08:04:39

Oh - my apologies! I’m not up to speed this morning. Just ignore my post!
I’ve just re-read and it’s a different scenario - I thought you were talking about carrying the 5 year old around, not her younger siblings.
It’s lucky you have your DH there to help with the lifting/carrying though.

Joseann Mon 21-Aug-23 08:00:18

Isn't it the baby brother and sister who need carrying around? The 5 year old will be at school.

Georgesgran Mon 21-Aug-23 07:57:18

I’m a bit puzzled Abitbarmy

My grandson is 5 and very slim, but I wouldn’t dream of carrying him around.
Are the twins disabled in some way? Why would you want to walk around the house and garden carrying either one of them?
Obviously there are odd times when I have to lift my DGS - perhaps onto the edge of a workbench to stick a plaster on his knee, but otherwise I just get down to his level. He knows he’s too old/big to be lifted/carried and that he’s too heavy and that only babies are carried.
As I said - I’m puzzled.

Marydoll Mon 21-Aug-23 07:50:33

Oh I know how you feel. I couldn't carry my fretful, four month old granddaughter round the garden yesterday, due to my health issues. My DH had to take over.
It made me quite sad.

Abitbarmy Mon 21-Aug-23 07:35:16

So my eldest granddaughter is nearly 5 and going to school soon. We are going to be looking after her twin brother and sister instead one day a week. What I struggle greatly with now that I didn’t with her, is carrying them around, one at a time of course. I’m 67 and reasonably fit, always on the go and garden a lot. They weigh about 20lbs (9kgs) each. Doesn’t make any difference which arm and I’m using my hip to rest them on also but they end up slipping down and I just can’t do it for more than a very short time. Is this normal at my age? I’d love to know how grans of a similar age manage. Also lifting them from floor level is not easy. I couldn’t manage their care without the help of my DH but it saddens me that I can’t walk around the house and garden holding them like I used to do 4 years ago with their sister.