I need help!

Sorry to disappoint, but you may not get cuddles from 8 month old who likes to explore. If he doesn't want to sit on his mum's knee, he's unlikely to stay on yours, even if someone else puts him there. He'll wriggle and squirm until you have to put him down. You'll probably have to be content with watching his "adventures". Babies at that age are fascinating.

If you're there 3 weeks, he'll make a lot of progress while you're there. If he's crawling now, he's likely to be pulling himself up to standing before you leave.

Do not attempt to lift him using painkillers, you may do your back a worse injury. You will be tempted.

Let him get used to you from the floor, as you sit engaging with him, smiling, waving, holding out toys for him to come and get. Let him come to you. If he sees a friendly smiling face offering him some interesting toy he will want to come over. Once he's used to you maybe he will sit on your lap briefly, especially at a table where you can turn him towards a jigsaw or whatever on the table, holding and cuddling him whilst he does some activity. The important thing is not to force him. Let him take the lead.

I'm sure you will get plenty of time engaging with him face to face and enough cuddles to keep you satisfied! Don't forget to take some interesting toys to engage his attention, but check it's something he hasn't got.

I’m with Farmor. He may not want cuddles at all. Not being able to pick him up may be a blessing in disguise . Imagine being busy with life on the floor and having an adult scoop you up and away for a cuddle with them. They would not be your favourite person!

On the other hand an interested adult sitting calmly in a chair, a repository for stuff found on the floor who lets you come and go as you will? Much better.

Try to see it from his eight month old point of view rather than your own longings.

Newatthis

Many of you know through my previous post that I live in a different country from my new grandson (now 8 months old). The good news is that we have just booked flights and will visit at the beginning of September for 3 weeks (yippee). My concern is that I have painful knees and a very bad back(scoliosis) so lifting heavy weights is not possible so I will not be able to lift him from the floor, where he is now crawling, or carry him while I am standing as he is a very sturdy baby. My DD says he doesn't like to sit on her knee anymore as he always want to explore. So - how do I get my cuddles in or has any of you got a quick fix rather than to dose up with painkillers.

Why do you have to ‘get your cuddles in’?

Would you be able to sit on the floor so you're at his level?

Why not sit on the floor with a cushion against the chair or sofa, supporting your back?
I always get down on the floor, their level when playing with a crawling baby. Plenty of close interaction.

Some babies are not cuddly and even parents get very few cuddles. DD was like that. If she was awake she was moving,

What you get depends on your DGS and his character.

Can you run? Sounds like an active chap. Forget cuddles, just enjoy the view!

Daddima

Newatthis

Many of you know through my previous post that I live in a different country from my new grandson (now 8 months old). The good news is that we have just booked flights and will visit at the beginning of September for 3 weeks (yippee). My concern is that I have painful knees and a very bad back(scoliosis) so lifting heavy weights is not possible so I will not be able to lift him from the floor, where he is now crawling, or carry him while I am standing as he is a very sturdy baby. My DD says he doesn't like to sit on her knee anymore as he always want to explore. So - how do I get my cuddles in or has any of you got a quick fix rather than to dose up with painkillers.

Why do you have to ‘get your cuddles in’?

Cuddling an older baby is almost always for the benefit of the adult rather than something the baby enjoys. Let him play and enjoy his company at his level.

At eight months your grandson is probably shy of people he does not know, and as you and he do not live in the same country, he really has not had any opportunity to know who you are. Please do take this into account, otherwise I am afraid you will find your visit a huge disappointment.

IMO small children are rather like cats - if you sit quietly and seem fairly uninterested in them (difficult, I know) they come to you - if you fuss and want to pick them up, they just want to get away.

Focus on having a lovely time with your daughter and watching your grandson, but don't try too hard with him.
'

If it's possible go down to his level even if you need help to get back up. Even at 8 months you'll get a cuddle. He will probably be keen for a lap when tired so ask someone if you can hold him before he squirms for a parent.

He doesn't know you so it will probably take some time for him to accept you as someone who he wants to interact with. You'll have to take your lead from him.

Take something to play with and he will be intrigued. Soon be climbing up to see what you are doing! A picture book. A wooden puzzle, a colouring book and crayons. They love to scribble. A long piece of paper to lay on the floor and draw round him. That’s good fun. He can scribble afterwards. You’ll get a lot of enjoyment too and will forget about your pains. I also have scoliosis and arthritis and PMR and adrenal insufficiency. Still enjoyed my DGC! Go with the flow and pay afterwards. Yes take paracetamol anyway if that helps. 💐

A baby of eight months would be ready to cuddle with you to read a bright, activity book like “Tails”, he will enjoy feeling the textures of the animals tails and pulling the tabs to make them move.

Practise sitting on the floor, and getting up from sitting on the floor. There are lots of ways to get yourself up easily on you tube. If you're at the same level as the baby you are guaranteed more interaction.

Play it by ear. When he gets used to you he may be persuaded to give grandma a hug and let you kiss him but don’t push it. If he’s active he won’t want to be picked up.

Take it at his pace don’t push it. You’re there and that’s enough don’t be too pushy! Take it from a nursery teacher.

You are more precious than your Grandson !

Perhaps you can help at bedtime. He might be a bit young to be read to, but we told our DS stories, when he was very small, until he fell asleep. It could be a special time for the two of you as long as it doesn't upset his routine too much.

I have to agree Weymouth getting down on to the floor, if you find it difficult then as someone said use cushions, to kneel on as well as to lean against. But your best chance of decent interaction is the floor.

Sing songs to him! Even sitting above him, you’ll engage him and be interacting. Then when he’s sleepy at bedtimes maybe you’ll get a cuddle and sing or hum songs to him.

Nursery rhymes, wind the bobbin up, nonsense songs made up using his name

How about playing peek-boo and patta cake patta cake baker’s man?

My oldest never wanted cuddles, even if she was being held at a very young age, she was looking round to see something more interesting.

It's so interesting watching babies and young children but he might be happy to look at books with you and point out pictures and learn the words.
Can you buy some books to take with you? Rod Campbell's books with lift-up flaps are good for interaction. There are lots more suitable sturdy board books. He might like to sit and 'read' with you.