Who's helping out with childcare in the school holidays?

Is there a charity shop near you? If so see if you can find a teddy bear. When YOU need at sit down, ask the three year old to help you get Teddy to sleep, as Teddy is tired. It sometimes works, and you can probably use the fact that Teddy is asleep as an excuse for playing a very quiet, sitting down game.

I am having my eldest DGD for a few odd days over the holidays - she is no trouble at nearly 6 and is happy colouring, playing in the garden or baking. We also go out to nearby National Trust properties. Her lively little sister aged 3 is luckily in nursery most of the time but we do love having them both for overnights at weekends. Sadly my daughter and SIL are moving away at the end of August and we are going to miss not having them live locally. It will be a 2 hour drive to visit them which is quite heartbreaking but it could be worse as it's not abroad. I know they will continue to need us for childcare and therefore the girls will come to stay for longer when we are needed. I'm also planning on visiting them for the odd overnight stay when I need to see them all.

Some great suggestions here ... I shall be widening my range of activities on offer. I look after my GC on a regular basis all the time, so have the advantage of having set boundaries already, but I would very much encourage anyone to set a few 'rules' - not be draconian, but make sure that the children understand that what Grandma says, goes. After all, we're not really up to chasing after them at speed anymore, are we? As long as they stick to the plan they will find they have a much better time. I also agree that Downtime is essential .... a film on a rainy day, a session just having a lie-down on a bed with a book, a bit of playtime on their own or away from siblings. I know I'm very lucky with mine as they both enjoy the quiet times as well as the noisy ones. Currently trending with the 5YO is the hosepipe with a nozzle with different settings - endless fun and incidental science!

You are a brave lady minimo ?
We will be helping out, but a day at a time with an odd sleepover here and there.

I do all the old favourites with mine. Painting, cooking,the park, swimming if i have another adult with me,it's too much responsibility on my own, library session and a good story each bedtime. We also snuggle up on the sofa after her bath and watch a film of her choosing before bedtime story once she is in bed. If i have two of them we following the same format but they very often devise a gameof their own out in the garden usually princesses, witches and dragons.I drew a large dragon on the wooden panelled fence at the bottom of the garden in chalk last time they were here and it was much appreciated!!! Oh yes we sometimes put up the pop up tent or they make one out of two garden chairs and a big old blanket. Quiet times are essential for all of us so they can read, draw or go on their electronics what nots while i recharge my batteries usually in the kitchen preparing the evening meal. I love it, but i also love it when they return home and i can flop on the sofa and chill!!!

I've done 6 days of child care since they broke up (early) and now I am looking forward to 5 weeks off. It's not the GC that are the problem. I can put up with the mess and being tired but I am fed up to breaking point with their parents' constant complaints, rules and criticism. Over a period of 12 years and three GC it has got steadily worse and I have just about reached breaking point.. I think the paid nanny is treated better than I am and if I had to put up with it for another week I would definitely explode.

There is a set time in the morning before which no one comes in to me! It works fine and we all have fun!

Whether you have a garden or backyard, dens are a winner with most children. Make from cheap tarpaulin, blankets or old duvets drape over patio table, chairs washing line whatever is available. If you add in things to dress up in even better. Doesn't have to anything fancy, scarf tied round waist or head make props out of cardboard, broomhandles, tea towels. Large cardboard boxes can be made into boats (add a long stick and a tea towel) or castles. A cheap underbed storage box with lid and a bag of playsand or fill with water. If you google Nature Detectives there are lots of ideas for activities, spotter sheets, colouring sheets, puzzles all free and for different age groups. I won't be looking after my grandchildren as I am working most of holidays but will no doubt see them at weekends. I love it when they ask if they can stay(6 of them aged 5-13) and sometimes all together. Hope you have a fab time... enjoy...... remember they don't have be on the go all the time, sitting looking at or reading books together, watching a dvd even singing can be fun too. If you are able to take photos and print off (even if only on normal paper) you could help them to make a little scrapbook of 'What I did at grandma and grandads. ' If printing off isn't an option perhaps they could draw a picture or two each day of what they have done.

Granjan06 ... perhaps they could draw a picture or two each day of what they have done.

That's an excellent idea and fits in with my 'learning through playing' plans, as DGS has difficulty holding pencils and controlling them.

Actually harri made a good point. Could you check out any holiday clubs in the area for the eldest child? My little grandson goes to football camps where we take him at 9.00 he takes a packed lunch and we pick him up later . He absolutely loves it and goes at least once a week every holiday .

Oh marni that was tough after you had looked forward to spending time with them. We take ours to play gyms sometimes but can get expensive depending how many there are . Tents are another favourite and of course playing in water .last time we had all ours I spent an hour hiding a figure around the garden couldn't believe how long they played same game without falling out

I will be caring for my GC X4 during the holidays aged 6,4 and two 2yrs,as l do during term time four days a week. We will spend some of the day at their home and some at mine, playing with Nannie's toys makes a change. Walks to the park,woods,beach and town and library. Playing in the garden hopefully in the sunshine, in the tent, having picnics and water play should keep them and me happy. It's more difficult during the holidays as none of the 3 toddler groups l go to are open. Good luck grandparents.

We're taking turns with DC and in-laws to cover 4 DGC aged between 3 and 9 and 3 Gdogs when their families are away.......I have a spreadsheet! I think we have a whole week to ourselves at the end of August.

(I should add that there are three families, one of which is 200 miles away involved here. There's quite a bit of mixing and matching and sleep overs. Still I'm told it keeps us young!)

One of our best play items is a sponge football. Can be also used for playing catch and piggy in the middle. It causes no damage at all. Costs about £3 on Amazon.

I am only having mine(5 and 20 months) two days a week in holidays. Usually have them 10 hours a day, 5 days a week in term time. Taking and picking up elder one from school. So, looking forward to relaxed mornings, no rushing to get them ready! And plenty of time for myself, catching up with jobs that need doing! Will be taking them to soft play, farm, woods, weather permitting or garden play, sand, water, slide. They also like painting and drawing and older one likes playing schools with us as the pupils. She is very bossy! (mum is a teacher ).

It makes me tired just reading these posts! We are lucky in that we see our GC a fair bit - one family a LOT; in fact they turn up on the doorstep when their mum gets frazzled and wants a break. I'm sure this will happen more this holiday as she's having an extension built. Yesterday was good - the other GC came as well and they ALL played out in the rain using our shed as a refuge when required. Their ages range from 2 to 13 and luckily they get on well although one of the older girls prefers to do her own thing which is fair enough. DH is very good with them all but we run out of food so very quickly so I'm constantly shopping which is incredibly BORING! Love 'em though although I'm referred to as Grumpy Gran on occasion

Perhaps you should ask for pay Humbertbear, they may value you then!

I will have my 2 grandsons for 2 days days a week over the summer. We tend to plan one 'big day out' each week..which means: a picnic at a local National Trust place , a day in London/ seaside etc . On the other day we go to the local park to play ball games, they mooch and relax with a DVD/on line, Lego, creative stuff, den making,cooking, gardening etc. They are 9 and 5.

Well I've had DGS for 7.5 hours today, very unusual for a Sunday. However I wouldn't have missed it for the world as he was in a sitting-on-my-lap-for-a-cuddle mood most of the day. Such a rare occurrence as he just does not like being touched. Kept checking his forehead for a high temperature and running my hands over his skin for spots or sweating. Absolutely no problem with his appetite though so I think he's ok

Had two DGC today, aged 9 and 8. Started off at home about 10am, played very well. Had elevenses and then lunch. Then drove them half an hour to local (free) castle-was glad to get them home. Despite running about they were still full of. Energy and, it must be said, cheek! Had a few stern words. After returning home took them to local library on their bikes. On way home chain came off-I just couldn't fix it so had to wheel it home. DGD has head in book now and DH is entertainng DGS in other room. When they've gone-shortly-I shall definitely nod off!
Will remember den making for tomorrow-good luck everyone!

So glad I just happened on this thread - I just realised the time! I've been perusing GN for an hour and I have to leave to pick upDGD2 in ten minutes. Better get dressed!

Just to update on this. I took the little ones to the library last week and the summer reading challenge is just brilliant. They had a ball doing a treasure hunt looking for pictures dotted around the library and the older one is signed up to do the challenge and is coming along swimmingly with reading. If you've got a library nearby (I know they're closing in certain areas at an alarming rate) take a look - I was pleasantly surprised to see how much was going on at mine.

Asda have reduced their tents to half price, i got a 2 person one yesterday for £7.50, bargain. The 4 was £12.50 but i only have 2 grandchildren. Think they will enjoy playing in that and saves trying to put up sheets with pegs which
always come adrift.