its so hard looking after my lovely GC

Grandson told daughter today that he doesn't want to go home yet and asked if he can stay for an extra night. The compliment outweighed my need to flop with a glass of this evening, so he's now tucked up in bed and going home tomorrow.

I haven't seen much of GS1 for the last 18 months apart from picking him up from school once or twice a week so I was quite flattered when he said he would like to spend the first day of the holidays with me because he hadn't seen me for ages

DH is the one they all want to see when they come - but in times of need its Grandma they call for. I love them dearly but I'm not good at making stuff or playing games but if they can entertain themselves then I'm perfectly happy to have them for as long as required. Unfortunately life ain't like that most of the time and I end up a frazzled wreck. Still they all seem to want to come again - and again, so I must be doing something right I suppose. DH is brilliant with them though I have to say - in spite of the trail of mud and grass he leaves behind - and smells if he's been doing 'speriments!

hi everyone,,,,,reading down the messages,,,,it seems many of us are looking after the grandkids in one way or another, now is the summer hols,,,i help out when i can as their mums both go to work,,,,,,it seems you bring your own children up then you do it for the grandkids, what happened to the stay at home mums, then you have to entertain them,,,aaahhhh !!! i teach the kids how to bake cookies and cakes, then after that they want to do something else,,,im bored is the words at the moment,.....can we go to the park,,,,no nannie is tired and its too hot outside,,,,,,,i manage to put the tent up,,,,thats a 5 minite wonder.....outside and give them bread and jam sandwhiches,,,,,,they loved that,,,,,,,but yes you do get tired looking after them,,,,but enjoy while you can because they wont want to come when they are older it will be boyfreinds and girlfreinds they are interested in,,,,,,not nan and grandad. so look after yourself...dont wear yourself out......and set some ground rules....to the parents. ( if you dare ) !!!

I had my little dgd, 33mths, from 6pm last night until 12.30pm today, and she's coming back at about 7pm for another sleepover.
I'm filled with admiration for some of you who look after several dgc for days on end.

I'm shattered now, and I'm fit and healthy. I can't believe how exhausting it is looking after her, and she is such a good little girl, not a moments trouble.

Well done all you lovely grans!

For a few years we looked after 2 GC 3 times a week but a couple of years ago I felt it was just too much for DH so discussed with DD and we cut it down. Now we have GD on Monday afternoons after school and during holidays she is now 10 and a delight. Do occasionally feel guilty about the other 2 but we are there in case of emergencies.

I remember when mine were small and we went visiting their paternal grandmother and she had a box of toys - well she considered them toys it was just a small box of rubbish broken toys and little else so when I became a GM I made sure I had a toy box full of interesting and in full working order toys not always new many purchased in local charity shops or church fetes.

Oh forgot to say welcome stacigran GN is a great forum

This is so funny , we have to laugh!

I think coping with 2 at a young age is much harder than coping with 1 at an older age , my DGS has special needs and it is so rewarding looking after him but I could NOT cope with two at a time!!

I had him to stay for a week when he was just 9 months of absolute cuteness ... By the end of the week I was a ZOMBIE! lol ... I took him to a local One O'Clock club and when it was home time I PUT ON SOME OTHER WOMANS BOOTS ....Didn't even realise till I was HALF WAY home and was too tired to walk back by then so had to ring the One O'Clock club and EMBARRASSINGLY explain that I had accidentley put on someone elses boots and come home with them , then I had to FACE the lady when she came to collect hers , wearing mine - I laugh now but it shows how TIRED I was LOOOOOOOL

So I can sympathise but long for more moments with my DGS now xx

I'm lucky enough to look after my DGS (15 months) one day a week, and it is certainly more tiring than when my DCs were tiny. I think it is partly because I feel I have to do much more with him - no sitting down on the job! When ours were small we didn't have ballparks etc so it was the garden, the house or the swings at the park. I don't remember feeling I had to entertain them all the time in the same way.

I actually think it's my AGE! ;-) lol

I had SO much energy when my LO's were young , so we do have to rest up xx

I have mentioned this before but I think our children "forget" that we are no longer the age we were when we looked after them as young children. Absentdaughter is full of admiration about my energy levels, but I think she sometimes forgets that I am old and even more exhausted than she is when I have looked after four children throughout the day on school holidays. I love my days with the little one (two and a half) and he makes it clear that he loves his days with me, but, boy, do I sleep well those nights.

What I forgot to add is that it won't be long - given how fast the years rush by - before they start saying "Do we have to go and see that boring old grandmother?"

Hi, I have my gd age 3 and gs age 1, 3 days a week 6.30 to 5...they are exhausting, the only way I cope is to be ultra organised, I have a list of all the suitable play parks, soft play and toddler clubs in the area. Gd attends pre school now, so I pick her up and go out for picnics. They are horrible if they don't get out every day, we have wet weather gear so rain or shine we go out. I also rotate toys so they don't get too bored. We have playdough, waterplay and painting sessions. Best part of the day is when they are snuggled up watching a film waiting for mummy and I can read my book. I am 55 and took redundancy to look after them. I don't regret it but it can be hard.