Children/Grandchildr en

I became a Granny just as I was about to retire at 66. Unfortunately I don't live close by, though I hope eventually to move nearer, but I said that even if I did live nearer I wouldn't do regular childcare but would help with emergencies. This year I had my first experience of looking after my grandson alone, who was 3 and a half at the time. His nursery was closing for the week before Easter so they needed childcare for 3 days while both parents were still working. Fortunately his baby sister was still going to her childminder so I was able to take my GS out for age appropriate activities. We had a bus trip to the park as I knew he probably wouldn't manage to walk there and back and I'm certainly not up to carrying him. Then the next day we caught a bus to a nearby town to go to the cinema. I hope to have similar opportunities again but as I'm nearly 70 now I know my limitations. I feel like I've missed out on having a close relationship with him as he was a lockdown baby and lived abroad for the 1st 2 years. He can be challenging to do things with if his mum is around so she went out to work while I had him, although she could have worked at home, otherwise he'd have interupted her for everything rather than let me do things with him and for him. I'm hoping to have a closer relationship with his sister as she is less demanding of her mum's attention.
On my most recent visit for my GD's birthday celebration, when both Grannys were present, to distinguish between us my GS started to call me 'Bekah Granny'. Bekah is his Auntie, who he adores, so I feel that by associating me with her (my DD) he is feeling more of a relationship with me. I do slightly envy the GPs who live close by and see their GC regularly, but I know I couldn't cope with full time childcare even if I lived next door!

Tiley

I know there are people on here who never had children, me included through choice and have never regretted this decision. What fascinates me is the amount of grandparents that are run ragged looking after their grandkids. I was chatting to a lady up the road the other day and she said how exhausted she was caring for 2 of them, one she has to take to and from school whilst having the young one all day 5 days a week. Their parents are in really good jobs but won't employ a nanny and seems like they expect Mum to do it as a duty. Has anyone else felt like this.

I suppose people do as they wish. Some are exhausted and run ragged by GC, but that is by choice. "No thank you" and "I'm sure you can figure this out without me" are really nice ways to remove oneself.

I don't/won't watch GC/GGC on a regular basis. Ask me politely for one-off childcare. If not, I'd be annoyed, our daughters entitled. No thank you.

We raised our children, our children are raising theirs. I'm happy.