New gran - advice please!

Hello Harrigran

My DGD is getting help now.She is not out of the woods yet,but the professionals have moved into it now.

Thankyou alot.xxx

congratulations all new grandparents! its great and you come round to the idea eventually.
My first grandchild was born nearly 2 years ago in New Zealand. I talked briefly to my son after she was born but didn't see my GD until she was 6 weeks old and then only for a week and only once since then. I certainly did feel deflated after she first came and was so sad not to see her as a newborn-I've been missing out ever since!
Luckily though my DD had her first baby 6 months later and I have been totally involved with him ever since. My DD moved to be within reach of me before the baby was born and she invited me to scans and hosp apps. Unfortunately she had some problems with the pregnancy and birth near the end and I was going with her and her partner to the hospital on a regular basis. Then my sweet GS was born a month early under difficult circumstances and had to stay in the SCBU for a few weeks. This meant once again that i was totally involved-visiting and supporting the little family.
I now mind my GS two days per week while his mum goes to work and I finally feel like a real grandmother-my GS knows I am Nanny ( though he can't say it yet)and he treats me as his ' next in line' carer after his parents.
I know how lucky I am-having him has changed and enriched my life immeasurably and I try hard to hang on to these baby years which I know will be the best, as well as attempting to keep in touch with my first grandchild who I hope will one day come back to UK so I can get to know her too.

I remember from our meeting in February pinkprincess I was hoping things were improving

Thankyou harrigran.

I have just come back on here.One of my grandaughters has been causing problems but I think things are getting better, xxx

Salamander totally agree with your penultimate paragraph.

Congratulations Villagelady and to your daughter

Hello Villagelady1

The birth of a child is always very special and no less that of a grandchild..... congradulations you must be over the moon.
I am sure the three days with them would have been full on and it's no suprise you feel as you do. Seeing your own baby with one of their own is one of the most sureal moments ever.
Being a grandparent is like being given the opportunity to nuture someone special without the total responsibilty of having to be the 'tyrant' as parents often do. Always the good guy, spoil and give back is my policy!
My advice -- see as often as you are able and enjoy.

Long time no hear pinkprincess you okay ?

Congratulations Villagelady and welcome to the grandmothers' club.

I can remember when I first became a grandmother, I was working as a nurse on night duty and had just got home when my son phoned to say we had a grandaughter born about half an hour ago.I could not wait to see her, but had to go to bed first to get my sleep before going to the hospital-not the one I was working in-and here was this lovely baby girl that DS and DIL had produced!.
That baby girl is now 21 and about to graduate in Maths.Four more grandchildren followed and each one gave me the same joy.

Enjoy every moment you can with your new precious grandchild.

I was totally unprepared for the rush of feeling when first GS was born - total change to my life in the best way possible - little brother has now arrived 2 years later - it's different again but just as wonderful. Congratulations - enjoy every minute

Isn't it strange? Eight years ago I'd have said that my two would probably never get round to having children and now I've got two grandchildren and another on the way. Can't remember what it was like without them

I have to say that I wasn't prepared for how much it would change my outlook on life. I'm not sure I can explain why but yes it was shock to the system. But in a good way. Did you find yourself wanting to tell everyone on the train that your life had just become totally different?

My little man will be two next Monday and he was joined on Wednesday by a little brother and life changes yet again.
Mine are three hours away but I have made the effort to go and visit once a month, just overnight, so as to keep in touch.
If you have or can get Sykpe, I thoroughly recommend it as a way of keeping in touch when you are not around.

It's a wonderful, frustrating, exhausting, fantastic experience being a Grandma - oh, and tiring, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Many congratulations. You'll have a lot of fun as you will be able to childish things with impunity

It's certainly a wonderful experience, and frightening in a way too because that new little family matters so very much to you and yet you have to stand back a little and let them learn parenthood in their own way. I know I was taken aback by the way DS, always sucha laid ba ck chap, became very protective of wife and new daughter and would not let his mum or mum in law interfere!

Believe me, grandchildren are a whole new and marvellous phase of life and you have much joy ahead. Hope the dog is recovering.

Wow, no wonder you feel flat after all that. Congratulations on becoming a grandmother. The first time is very special, but then as Anno said every new arrival is special too but you just learn to cope with all those mixed emotions with practice

Thank you all for your wise words, it's so nice to know I'm not alone in feeling like this. It all seemed such a surreal experience from when I got the call to say my daughter had started her labour to when I got back home after the birth. I caught the train from the Midlands to London as soon as things started, a crack of dawn journey; husband away working; dog very old and sick needing to be taken into the kennels; medicine to be picked up from the vet - the usual chaos, but so exciting and I was so desperate to get there. Then three days later back on the same train, wearing the same clothes, reading the same page in my book, house as untidy as I left it, dog still ill, husband still away, nothing had changed and yet everything had changed.
I'm sure I'll come round eventually, I think it was a bigger shock than I had anticipated seeing my child with her own child.

Villagelady Have no fear you are quite normal! Congratulations

Congratulations!
It's certainly life changing!

Congratulations, life is going to be so different now, you just need to sit down and catch your breath after a busy few days

Congratulations to all, Villagelady1. The first is always special...but then so is the second...and the third...and so on...Every one in his or her own unique way.

Congratulations - the strength of attachment to our GC can be a surprise when it first hits - it is like having your own children again - so no wonder you feel a bit flat - but there is lots of enjoyment to come.

You are in for a great time Villagelady1 they are so much more fun than your own children

Congratulations Villagelady1 what lovely times you have ahead of you . My fourth grandchild is due tomorrow and I can't wait .

Congratulations, Villagelady1, and welcome, if you are new to Gransnet. You didn't have to wait for the arrival of a grandchild before joining! You are bound to feel a little flat - it is natural, I feel it every time I part company with any of my 6 GCs. I hope you are near enough to visit often, you have years of fun ahead of you!

Villagelady1 Congratulations to you and your daughter. Your feelings are natural and healthy. Welcome to the club, there is nothing like the birth of a grandchild, enjoy the feelings and the years to come.

Congratulations Villagelady1 . There is nothing quite like a first grandchild (in my case it was a pair !) and the pain of separation is acute. What is her name and will you be able to see her regularly ?