I'm a mother not a grandmother but I would really value your opinion.
I have 3 children aged 7, 5 and 2.
When I got together with my husband his mother was so excited about future grandchildren and never stopped asking when they'd appear.
We married after 5 years and the first grandchild arrived 2 years later. My mother-in-law idolised her first grandchild and had him many a weekend.
When grandchild no. 2 was born she was hands on at the home delivery and stayed a week, I felt so lucky to have such an attentative mother-in-law, the babysitting slowed a little but she still visited often and was always enthused to see them.
Baby no. 3 arrived 2.5yrs ago and to say mother-in-law is postively cool is an understatement.
She's very young only 56 and I'm utterly dismayed at her lack of interest in spending time with her grandchildren.
My own mother is 81 now but I recall her with my brothers 3 children when she was in her late 50s, she'd have them single handedly at weekends and holidays, cook for them, dress them, take them down the field to kick around a ball etc, she didn't even drive.
My mother-in-law drives but won't drive alone or in the dark!
Back in January my mother-in-law reluctantly agreed to stay at our house and look after the kids for 2 nights. To make her life easier we stocked up the cupboards and fridge and cooked 4 main meals and it was her choice what she heated and served.
We were summoned back the morning after the first night as 2nd child had a headache and temperature. We suggested Calpol and by the time we returned home he was fine.
She was off home. My poor husband and I had only 3 hours sleep.
Anyway mother-in-law moaned about everything...
The kids never stopped eating.
The landing was creaky.
The house was too hot.
She couldn't sleep (not because of the kids, they're all good sleepers).
Her legs hurt from going up and down the stairs (her own home is a 3 floor town house).
Anyway, this weekend it is my husbands and my birthdays, she asked us what gift we'd like, 'Babysitting' was the joint response. She didn't even acknowlegde the request.
So, has the novelty of being a nana worn off now the cutsey babies have grown into school children?
How do you acknowledge Easter.
Kate Garroway-Care at home costs
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