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Grandparenting

I never signed up for this!

(120 Posts)
Anya Tue 09-Aug-16 08:00:56

Nobody tells you, when you become a grandparent that you always inherit their b****y pets too hmm

All our families are away this week together, somewhere. But does this mean a week of peaceful bliss for us grandparents left behind?

No way! We now have the two granddogs staying with us, so in addition to our two that's four dogs to walk, feed, pooperscoop. The 'baby' a 6 month old daschund puppy howls at night and first thing in the morning, so we're up at the crack of dawn.

Then there's the visits to the guninea pigs at one end of town and the chickens at the other. One of the two chickens was poorly yesterday so we took it to the vet at great expense but the blasted thing went and died anyway.

So we've had to chase around to find a similar one and replace it in the run hoping my granddaughter (who loved her chicken) won't notice it has white tail feathers instead of being all brown. Luckily the surviving chicken didn't seem to notice either and didn't peck it to death, thanks to my vinegar technique.

I'm a total physical and mental wreck hmm

Lona Sat 13-Aug-16 09:11:15

Anya flowers sorry to hear about your accident. How difficult it must be to say the least! Take it easy and I hope you recover quickly.

Bellasnana Sat 13-Aug-16 08:26:27

Only just read this thread. Very sorry you have had such a horrible accident, especially when you had been doing a good turn for your family.

My best wishes for a speedy recoveryflowers

Anya Sat 13-Aug-16 07:35:20

Thanks everyone smile

Yes, typing hurts but not as much as some things. I got stuck in the bedroom yesterday as I can't turn the door handle and DH didn't hear me shouting as he's pretty deaf. Thank goodness for mobile phones.

I've ordered a pair of jogging bottoms sweat pants Jalima which ought to arrive today. The fashion police will just have to look the other way.

The family all arrived back yesterday and we didn't cancel the BBQ because DH insisted he could 'cope' , so I just let him get on with it!!! He seriously over bought buns, under bought sausages and totally blanked on nibbles and afters and salad stuff. It was a bit of an eye opener as men think they 'do' BBQs and don't realise what goes on behind the scenes grin

Jalima Fri 12-Aug-16 23:51:10

Have just seen your post Anya - poor you, both sides broken. You said the cast is tight, did they ask you to go back to have it checked the next day in case it was too tight because they always used to ask you to do that. Keep wiggling your fingers, if it's not too painful and make sure they stay a good pink colour.
flowers
hope you mend soon, dressing must be very difficult indeed, putting on a bra impossible. Pull-on trousers and a loose top would seem to be rig of the day for the time being.
Have a good rest in the sunshine next week, vitamin D is supposed to be good for mending bones

Bellanonna Fri 12-Aug-16 23:28:05

Anya that is serious bad luck. It's rotten to break one side, as I know, but just can't imagine what it must be like to have both sides out of action. Even typing must take forever. No driving for 6 weeks, that's a pain in itself, along with getting dressed, going to the loo, eating. Thank goodness someone helped you to get up. Well, it'll take its time but hope you get back to full and pain free mobility before too long. Sympathy !!

grannyqueenie Fri 12-Aug-16 23:13:58

Oh Anya you poor thing, both side's out of action, I don't envy you that. I felt useless enough when I broke a bone in my hand a few months back. Simple things like doing up jeans and buttoning up my jacket were tricky for a week or two and I hated being restricted and feeling dependent. Hope it's not too painful and mends easily. X

jogginggirl Fri 12-Aug-16 22:55:48

Anya ... flowers and very gentle (((hugs))) ❤️❤️

rosesarered Fri 12-Aug-16 17:54:52

Just seen this Anya get well soon, must be very painful.I did the same some years ago when walking the dog and ended up with a broken ankle.
you will have to do a bit less from now on and let others help YOU. ?

Maggiemaybe Fri 12-Aug-16 17:40:02

Oh, Anya, so sorry to hear about your injuries! I had a fall and broke a bone in my hand 4 weeks ago today. I've just been told by my consultant that it's healed so well I can leave my hand support off now unless it hurts or I need a reminder not to carry too much shopping or let the DGS swing on it. Fingers crossed (yes, I know you can't at the moment!) that yours heal as quickly. Let everyone spoil you till you're back to full strength.

TriciaF Fri 12-Aug-16 17:22:41

ps sorry scnackie - I didn't notice your post until now blush

TriciaF Fri 12-Aug-16 17:20:50

So sorry about your broken bones, Anya. I hope they heal quickly, and your family will be fussing around you when they return.
Another alternative is house sitters for pets etc. It depends where you live, but in country areas I should imagine it's easy to find them. It is here.
Thanks for the vinegar hint btw, might try that next time we have some newcomers.

schnackie Fri 12-Aug-16 16:14:18

Since my last dog died around the time I retired, I have done pet and house sitting for others. Mostly just word of mouth. It is better for the pets than to be at kennels and better for protection of the house, as it is obvious someone is living there. Mail is collected, plants watered. Not too expensive. Just a suggestion.

Anya Fri 12-Aug-16 15:21:13

You've broken your right wrist. I've got a great device that lets you keep the cast dry when showering or bathing.

Let me know if you're interested smile

Anya Fri 12-Aug-16 15:18:01

Thanks for asking Mildred TBH not very well, but it's early days yet. The cast seems very tight as my hand is swollen and I'm itching all over but suspect that's a side effect of the co-codomal.

Can't really eat as that involves rotating my right forearm, I've discovered hmm

Mustn't moan though at least this will pass sunshine then I'll appreciate having arms that work!!

Mildred Fri 12-Aug-16 14:53:20

How are you coping Anya?

mcem Thu 11-Aug-16 17:57:47

Dd2 and wife have 2 cats and a dog!

mcem Thu 11-Aug-16 17:57:01

Dd1 and partner have between them 6 dogs and 4 kids. Dd1 and wife have a dog and 2 cats. Ds and wife have 1 dog. I happily support all grandkids including overnight stays and purchase of school uniform etc etc etc. I do the 5 minute walk to Ds flat to feed dog and let her run round garden if both are working a long day. But they all know not to ask for overnight pet-sitting. Made clear at the outset so no requests, no discussion, no resentment!

Mildred Thu 11-Aug-16 17:31:18

Sympathy I just have a broken right wrist so I can't imagine how you will cope with two arms out of action, you poor thing, I get the impression you are a very active lady and will get frustrated sitting down resting.

granjura Thu 11-Aug-16 17:12:43

A friend of ours here also had a really bad fall and broke her wrist and shoulder a few months ago. Their son has a pitbull who is not well trained- and he decided his mum was going to look after it whilst he went swanning around Thailand for 6 months! When out on the lead, he saw another dog and lurched forwards- she fell and he dragged her onto the road! She has been really struggling ever since. Makes me so cross, as he put a lot of pressure on her to look after the dog, blackmailing her with 'oh well he will have to be put down as I can't afford kennels, blabla'!

On the expat Forum here - there are new threads every week with 'I am moving back home, or to new country, or to new flat where I can't have pets, and all sorts of pseudo allergies suddenly surfacing out of the blue, and baby doesn't like the cat, and I want a different one, etc, etc, etc'.

Far too many people have pets when they know full well they may well NOT be able or willing to keep them for life sad grrrr.
Sorry for rant- I know it doesn't apply in your case Anya.

Get better soon.

Anya Thu 11-Aug-16 16:20:15

You are all so lovely and a big thank you for the flowers and sympathy. Having to sign in on mobile as the iPad is too heavy.

seacliff Thu 11-Aug-16 16:11:48

Oh Anya how awful for you, both arms out of action, so sorry that happened. I broke my right wrist badly some years ago, but at least I still had the left to try and do things. Hope the pain eases soon,you need looking after now. flowers

Linsco56 Thu 11-Aug-16 16:01:38

Oh dear! You've just taken on too much, especially when you're coping with your injuries. Hope you're feeling better soon and your family come back from holiday with a nice prezzie for you. Hope they appreciate all you're doing for them.

And I thought I was having a bad day with a milk spillage in the car!

mumofmadboys Thu 11-Aug-16 15:16:06

Gosh you have had a week to remember. Hope you feel better soon.x

granjura Thu 11-Aug-16 15:00:00

Just picked some from the garden for you flowers

Greenfinch Thu 11-Aug-16 14:52:02

Oh Anya how dreadful!
I can't imagine how you are managing.
I hope it becomes less painful day by day. Thinking of you. ?