Grandparenting time vs childminding time

Thankyou all. ?

In conclusion, it appears that yes, there is a big difference between grandparenting and childminding. If only I had realised that 5 years ago.

For the first three years we did a lot of childminding, but due to nursery and other things, we are not required quite as much, although we are still "on duty" at least once a week.

Now, we offer things like a Saturday sleepover to give the parents a break. We see that as grandparenting rather than childminding because it is our choice and our pleasure.

I don't think of it as childminding when my little grandson visits (with his parents here) and I take him off on my own to go and visit my friend, do window shopping on the high street, take him to the nearby playground. That is grandparenting.

Childminding (to my mind) is a totally different kettle of fish.

Sounds like you have the ideal situation granarchist. Sometimes regret offering one regular day a week ( plus as and when) childminding because there have been times when I feel we are rather taken for granted.
We spend little family time together solely as grandparents because daughter and husband always too stressed/ busy to see us unless we are on duty as it were. Then it's ships in the night as they leave when we get there, (us having got up at 5.30 am in order to arrive on time). Sorry about the moan, if I had my time again would probably do what you do.

I do lots of grandparenting without any parent present. Its time when yes I have sole charge but it's because I either want to spend time with them or have an activity planned not for childminding purposes.
I also do a small amount of childminding if they are sick or have a day off school that coincides with Mum working. Very different things to me.

Two totally different things - I am lucky in that I do grandparenting and occasional evening/night time babysitting - no child minding. The babysitting takes places in our house and usually the parents creep in, scoop up children and carry them back down the lane to their house. If we are feeling extra kind we keep them overnight and then we all have breakfast in bed with the dogs as well!! Great fun. I made it clear before the DC had children that I would not be a child minder :- a - because I was still working full time and b - because I wanted to be a granny.The DDs do not take advantage and of course I am always there for emergencies.

I think there is a difference because grandparenting is when you see the grandchildren with your children, their parents, but are not responsible for them but childminding is when you are on your own fully responsible for the grandchildren. Certainly while childminding can be very satisfactory it's also tiring. I wonder whether some children think that when their parents care for the little ones that is all that is necessary and the grand parenting part is reduced to the occasional visit.