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spending quality time with time with them and having lots of cuddles

What makes my relationship special with my grandchildren is the ability to spend time baking with them whenever they want to.

His birthday is 6 days after mine and he'll be 1 next year... He and I are both happy-go-lucky souls and he has the most wonderful smile and chuckle! My DD is an only child (miscarriages a-plenty) and little Oscar was a high-risk pregnancy. I used to tear up when he was first born and I sang him to sleep. I just feel I'll always understand him and that he'll be very much like me when he grows up!!

My grandson is autistic and is sensitive to noise, has some speech difficulties and doesn't like to be held or even touched at times. Cuddles are rare and short-lived. I was reading to him one day when he took the book, moved my hands apart, then sat on my lap and leaned back against me. Oh the joy! I started a gentle side-to-side rock and we sat quietly like that for some time. I just had seconds to quickly wipe the tears from my face when he started to wriggle away. Since then he often instigates these very special times and has recently started to position my hands to where he wants me to hold or even pat him. Neither of us speak, we are just so safe together for those precious minutes ...

We have a cuddle and I can rest one finger on her cheek, she reaches for my hair and we look into each others eyes and the bond just grows and any worries vanish.

I love sewing .... so I've been encouraging my granddaughter to use the sewing machine I bought her. However I never insist she uses it, just when she asks. I hope she'll share my pleasure in sewing. By the way, if anyone has in mind to buy their granddaughter a toy or mini sewing machine for Christmas - don't bother - they're not worth it. Invest in a 'proper' machine which really needn't cost an awful lot more and are sooooo much better.

Being near enough to see them often. Go to their Nativitynplays etc. & enjoy every moment. With a tough farm life showing them the softer side. The beauty in flowers, cuddles , time for love & having that special relationship that is on both sides.

I have five grandchildren ranging from five to twenty four. I have a different relationship with each of them, playing boxing and super heroes,dominoes, jenga, playdoh,colouring and jigsaws, I could go on and on, with the youngest and the oldest has lived with us from the age of three so I have been through all the trials and tribulations of growing up with her. Having them certainly changed my life but I love them all dearly.

My granddaughter is only ten months old but at the moment my special moments are her trying to say Granny and her putting her arms out to me to be picked up.

Spending as much time as possible with them when we visit, as they live 400 miles away, so every single second is precious, and letting them choose what they want to do, or where to go, so their memories are good because we did what they wanted to do with us, willingly and happily. Probably bodyboarding with them they will remember forever ..........

I only have one grandson who is 5 we try to do lots of fun things together. We enjoy baking, Going for walks & he likes to show of his skills on his new scooter. I try to be a fun granny & make him laugh we have a great bond together

Pamaga, what a Wonderful poem from your talented husband, Michael McCarthy!! It's Geordie vernacular had me reading it out loud to get the meaning, with some strange looks from the dog! ? Brilliant!! ?

I live about 200 miles away from my DGC x3 but speak weekly on FaceTime so I get to chat properly whilst they play, show me things and actually see them growing and changing. It's brilliant! But when I get to physically see them I Love ❤️ how they run into my arms for a real hug and plenty of kisses. Now that's something FaceTime can't beat!!

The fun times we have together making things. My granddaughter mother, by her own admission, is not very crafty, but my granddaughter is so when she comes to stay we spend most of out time 'doing craft'

The best thing about grandchildren is that you can hand them back when they get ratty!!

I live a long way from my Granddaughter but have tried since she was born to make sure our relationship is a close one.

I travel to see her as often as possible and send her a funny postcard every week as well as letters.

She is the joy of my life.

Days spent with GS Charlie are carefree. My husband, Michael McCarthy, wrote a poem that sums up my feelings. It is in the Geordie vernacular but I think every grandparent will understand where we are coming from!

Grandma Duzzent Care

When on me weekly visit, ah make an ahwful mess,
With yoghurt on the sofa, an’ on me Grandma’s dress,
Ah play with stuff ah shouldn’t touch, explorin’ everywhere,
Ah can be a little divil, but Grandma duzzent care.
Shuh hez te move the ornaments, much higher up the wahll,
But still ah try te reach up high, ah want te touch them ahll.
It’s only curiosity that makes wuh climb up there,
Ah knocked a plant-pot owwah, but Grandma duzzent care.
Ah luv ahll knobs n’ switches, ah can see a little light,
As ah torn them ahll from off te on, ah giggle with delight.
Ah torned the volume up te full, it made a mighty blare,
Me Grandpa neahly dropped his tea, but Grandma duzzent care.
Ah luv te see them buses evvah since ah had a ride,
Ah’m ahlwus wantin’ liftin’ up te see them pass ootside.
Ah knah ah’m getting’ heavy, an’ ah knah that it’s not fair,
When ah dee hor creakin’ back in, but Grandma duzzent care.
Shuh loves me sittin’ on hor lap, a fav’rite place fer me,
Ah’m wahrm an’ safe there with her, an’ as happy as can be.
Ah can cover her with bruises, as ah wriggle roond on there,
But shuh still gives wuh a cuddle, as Grandma duzzent care.
An’ when it comes te meal times, as ah reelly love me scran,
Ah try te feed mesel’ an’ when it doesn’t gan te plan,
Ah splatter ahll that grub aroond, an’ get some in me hair,
So much clart is quite an art, but Grandma duzzent care.
So ahlthough ah’m quite a handful, an’ ah wear me carers oot,
The love ah get ah won’t forget, of that there is nee doot,
In ahll me little mischiefs, an’ whatever that ah dee,
It gans te show, ah’ll ahlwus know, me Grandma cares for me..

I had a special relationship with my first GC because my marriage broke up when he was only about 2. With space in the sports car and (very small) tent I started taking him away on car club weekends with me. He loved the car but most of all loved camping which led to him becoming involved with the Scout movement and he is still (now aged 22) an enthusiastic camper.

I never thought I`d see the day when I would be a "Nana" always thought I was too young, which I`m not, just disillusioned, However , having been presented with a granddaughter a few months ago I have been propelled into another world, of new love, new feelings, I feel as if every day is an adventure and I can`t wait to see how it develops

Strangely I think it's that I don't get to see her a lot as we live far apart. But when I do get the chance to spend time with Evelyn it's very very special. She loves me to bits and we have loads of fun, but gets very sad when I have to go home. I love her loads too.

I have lots of time to spend with my grandchildren now I have retired. We read, do jigsaws, make cakes etc.

So many, love the cuddles. We were at their place and it was time for bed. Read to the younger one. We were still there, while he came down the stairs quietly, then says I can't sleep. He wanted more stories.. That done , took him back to bed. After 10 minutes he was back again, he did this few times. I think because he knew we still there. His mummy was not too pleased. He did not do that before. X

Now that they are young teenagers, I love it that my grandaughters choose to come to my house and ignore me, instead of staying home and ignoring their mother!

We love each others company.

When one or both of my year old twin granddaughters hold out their arms to be held by me; when my 7 year old granddaughter packs her bags a fortnight before she comes to stay and my 4 year old grandson gathers up all his important things (his toys) ready to leave there and then - makes me feel really special.