Helping with childcare

Hi,nannaanna I have looked after DGS for two days week since he was 9 mths as DD had to work. I took him to various local stay & play sessions , story and song time at the library etc and I was rarely the only grandparent there! I never found a special grandparent and toddler group but was always welcomed at the sessions I went to. Am sure you will enjoy it!

NannaAnna Don't worry. If my experience is anything to go by you will find lots of grandparents at Toddler Groups and Playgroups. They are usually the "hands on" ones who get down and play with the children! It is very enjoyable and it is good to chat to other grans and the mums and dads who are there too. These groups used to be called Mother and Toddler Groups but that seems old fashioned now and mums, dads, grans, grandpas etc all attend with the children. I am sure you and your little one will be made welcome and will enjoy these groups.

NanaAnna I live with my DD and have her two children as she works full time leaves the house at 7am and sometimes its 7pm or later when she gets home, I have done this since the youngest was 6months old she is now 4.

So I have done all of the baby toddler groups, she is now at nursery 5 mornings so the groups have stopped as unable to fit them in.

I was made very welcome in all the groups I joined, if you have a local Sure Start contact them as they hold lots of activities from messy play, music and movement, softplay, they also held a Grandparent and baby group I did not attend as it coincided with a Snap Dragons a music and movement group.

We had our week planned around the groups. The library also had a story and a sing along so contact them and see whats available. Our local community centre also ran a playgroup, there are lots going on so search them out.

But dont worry about being a Nanna as you wont be the only one and the young Mums always made me feel very welcome. Best thing you can do join some of your local groups.

It was a life saver for me just having some adult conversation.

I take my hat off to you all - nothing is harder work than looking after children. I know you love your grandchildren and enjoy being with them, but it must still be tiring. Your children are very lucky to have such wonderful mothers.

Thank you for all your replies
My feeling was that there are plenty of Nans out there looking after little ones, and it's good to have that confirmed by you all.
I shall look forward to my return to toddler groups, etc.

I have also done it all, playgroup once a week for three years for four year old GD, she has now started kindergarten. Kindergym with GD now seven and I listen to her and other children read in the mornings when I take her to school. Some mornings I have a cup of tea with one of the mums who has no family in Australia. Other mothers at the school always come up to me to have a chat. I took both my granddaughters to their ballet lessons every week when I was living close by and took the four year old to fairy ballet once a week when she was younger. This Friday I am going to spend the day at kindergarten with GS4 as it is my daughter's turn to help and her baby is only six months old so I volunteered. The parents are expected to be there helping for at least two hours but they really appreciate a whole day's help so I will stay and I am sure my grandson will enjoy me being there with him. I do feel sad that I am not so hands on with my grandsons in Brisbane, especially the four year old as he misses me and DIL says he talks about me a lot.

Enjoy every minute NannaAnna. I have been taking four of my GC [not all at once] to Sure start and library story time for most of this year and we all benefit. Might find a third venue when [if] the weather improves.

Nannaanna google your local surestart centre as glass has said and you can print off a lot off activities,I am sure that there are lots of younger mums there on their looking for a friend to talk too who has a lot of experience with children,I am a hands on nan as GD has lived with since she was 4..she is now 13 it is surprisng how younger people and teenagers like an older person who they dont feel they have to put a show on for..think that comes with invisiblity cloak you get at a certain age....enjoy all your activities you are about to get a new lease of life,I almost wish I had a small child as when mine where growing up we only had playschool,and they had only just started up when GD was older

My mother was my child minder nearly 40 years ago and she took my daughter to a mother and toddler club EVERY afternoon for 18 months. My daughter was stimulated and my mother made new friends. She still gets letters and xmas cards from the young women who enjoyed her company. She was invited to go by a young mum whom she met in the launderette.
The best outcome was that my daughter has the closest relationship with her grand-mother - much closer than any of the other GC.

NannaAnna.

How lovely for you, I am sure you will get so much love and many cuddles. You will just find the natural path for you both. Playgroups are great places and I am sure there will not be anybody there who will not be pleased to share enjoying their children and experiences with you. Who knows with all those young mums you could be quite the star as I am sure they will value your experiences as an older mum.

You know what, ask yourself one question, did you raise your family well?. I bet the answer is yes. In that case just bring your grandchild up exactly the same way. It was good enough for her mum it will be absolutely fine for her.

Take the fact your daughter has asked for your help as a compliment. If she had the slightest doubt about your skills she would not have asked. It's all very simple, toys, books, hugs and kisses. I found a little Barney thrown in very helpful as it can be quite fun and helps with the old A.B.C. and life skills, though I am sure there will be objections from someone on gransnet to looking at the tele.

Good luck, have fun and be thankful you have been blessed with a family.

pogs the tv is a life line sometimes when you have been run ragged and need a cup of tea, the little one can also take so much from the educational programmes, its not to be used as a childminder but as light relief its to be welcomed

How did we live without ceebeebies in "the olden days"? After a busy morning playing, painting, gluing, baking etc a wee half hour in front of the TV works wonders (and lets Gran have a coffee) I don't think TV does any harm in moderation though no doubt some will disagree. Three cheers for Ceebeebies I say.

Yes, and a favourite DVD can soothe and calm when they're overwrought or overtired - my GCs still love watching the old ones they used to watch when they were much younger, I think it makes them feel secure.

glassortwo. Many a night I went to bed' singing' the alphabet or 'I love you, you love me, what a happy family, with a great big and a kiss from me to you, won't you say you love me too'.

Oh hell I hate the ruddy sound of Barney now!

TV has some really good programmes for tinies. My two little GCs love Ben & Holly and Mike the Knight..then they go off a play what they have watched!

pogs we all do it, its like shugging the shopping trolley

Oh, POGS - I hate Barney with a vengeance, too! And those awful, awful child actors.....