Give us your tips on becoming a new grandparent and win a lovely personalised baby gift set

i think its good to remember as a grandparent you are there to support and guide but ultimately it is the parents choice as to how they raise their children and interfering just makes for a bad atmosphere
my daughter is pregnant with her first child and i have to respect her for doing things her way and knowing i am here for her if or when she needs me.
i can be the calm when she needs a break or rest and pampering and a few hours to herself once my grandchild is born.
i have step grandchildern to and i think as long as i remember it isnt my baby and they have to be left to do things their way things work out well for all of us and a get the pleasure and fun without some of the bad bits being a mother entail

Remember things have changed since you had your family.
Helpful comments like " oh i used to do..... " can seem like a critisim to a first time Mum.
Just smile be supportive and tell them how proud you are.

Only step in and give advice when you are asked, every one needs to learn for themselves and it just gives new parents more pressure to do things a certain way if you try and tell them your way of doing things

Always remember the new mum will always believe that her way is best- go with her.

Just enjoy it!

dont buy stuff YOU like !! ask the parents to be what they actually like , sometimes the generation gap shows different items are liked and both parties end up being upset

What new parents desparatly need is sleep, so if you have the time, swoop in let Mum go to bed, you offer to listen out for baby, change nappies etc.,- this is not a time for sitting down cuddling. Now while Mum catches a few zzzzzzzzzzzs, you need to wash the dishes, put the washing on, do the ironing, prepare dinner. Much easier with your own daughter, than daughter in law, so maybe for DIL drop off dinner ready to be heated and offer to take away washing. Do make your own drink and make sure you leave the home tidier than when you arrived. It is really important for those first tiring days and weeks to let mum and dad parent and you do the practical boring stuff. Fun comes much later, in bucket loads along with lashings of love, hugs and kisses.

always respect the parents choices as you are grandparents not the parents but still able to offer tips

Offer advise only when asked! Bite your tongue the rest of the time!

I am in this situation, our 1st Grandbaby is due in September. My main tip is to liaise with your Daughter/Son into colour schemes, themes etc, so if you want to buy items they will match colour wise. Also make sure you buy the basic (not so pretty and cute) items that are essential but can be overlooked.

I am now unlikely to have any more grandchildren so won't make any effort to win this prize. Of course, sometime in the next 5 - 10 years I am likely, so GD1 tells me, to have a great grandchild. Oh, never mind!

Just be there. Offer help but do not advise and do not interfere. And keep calm when the other grandma is there - note to self - just breathe!

my advice is to let your son/daughter ask when they want or need help or guidance - don't foist it on them

With a new grandchild on the way, it's tempting to go on a shopping spree. But before you do, ask your son/daughter what they need, what they don't want so no money wasted!

Also, no matter how many kids you raised or how they turned out, your adult child and his or her spouse or partner are now in charge of the childrearing. So be cautious about offering opinions or advice unless asked directly. And even then, tread lightly and express yourself gently!

Wait to be asked!

It's a Grannies privilege to spoil her grandchildren. Spend time with them, giving them all your attention. Let them help you with cooking, then help you wash-up afterwards, the cleaning by giving them a duster & coffee table to dust, helping you in the garden, washing the car. Let them get dirty then let them have fun in the bath. It doesn't take money - just your love, patience & time. Always have a smile & sometimes a treat.

Just be there when needed, and make the most of every precious moment !

bluebell Be fair. Without the posters Gransnet would be more like Good Housekeeping mag. A very thin version at that!

I just think..... You know what, from my experience, inside I am sixteen although my body gives away my real age, I treat my grand child as I treated my own child. Make life exciting. Make everyday count. Whether it is making dens in the garden or jumping fully clothed in giant puddles and soaking ourselves, or cooking up weird and wonderful baking catastrophies. All memories sould be held precious to them as we remembered these wonderful times in our own childhoods . I say love them and make their lifes full of fun and enjoyment. I think our royal princess or prince will have this as they have young and fun-loving parents who will influence the royal grannies and grand dads!!

When - to be fair to Gally I did bring in the word intelligent but it was a joke - cant we laugh about our differences sometimes when it's about something so Ruritanian? I'm not making fun if someone's faith - oh hang on a minute - is royalism a belief system? Well quite frankly, any system which believes in a right to rule based on the accident of birth is clearly not rational - and that's not a jokey comment.

No intention to imply unintelligence, Gally Some of us are republicans and some royalists. There are things I enjoy and others don't see the point - dogs, for example.

Oh come on Gally - this is a jokey thread as my post made clear - for heavens sake!!! Pretend I'm J08

Come, come ladies, not all Gransnetters are anti Royalist. I wouldn't particularly want to win this prize - possibly something to do with taste - but let those who want to, post on this thread without being made to feel 'unintelligent' or inferior.

A Royal Range Gift Set??? I'd rather stick pins in my eyes, thanks all the same!

For goodness sake HQ - do you really want to alienate all the really intelligent posters? Have I wandered into an online version of Woman's Realm? Look what you've made me do - be provocative which is so unlike me ....goes off sobbing....