Caring for grandchild.

Hello Wren,
I understand you concerns so well! Try reading motherhow.com/. It has a lot of useful information.
I'm sure you'll do great!

At age 1 my grandsons were still having a nap in the morning as well as an afternoon one, so you may find the time for activities is reduced by that. My eldest grandson used to burst into tears every time he came to my place for months. He eventually got over it when my son brought him in one day and suggested that I feed him and that was a turning point.

Wren5 how has it been going? I’m curious to know how much of all the advice you put into action. Also how exhausted are you at the end of the day?
I found myself today while chatting with my DIL about childcare for new DGS (5 weeks so it’s in the future!) saying “and of course I could look after him one say a week”
The words just came out of my mouth and as they did I felt an Ooops, I’ve done it now!

Thank you all for your messages, it's helped me so much x

It's natural to feel nervous, Wren, but that'll soon pass. I felt really nervous before having DGD for the first few times, despite having looked after 3 GSs! But after a few months I feel so close to her - it's wonderful!

I'm another Nan with a Bus Pass - best thing ever ;-)! He thinks it's such a treat to be able to go for a bus ride .................. and I've discovered places that I didn't know existed. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather, so we'll be able to take a proper picnic out with us.

If you relax and don't fret, he'll relax too. Good luck. Enjoy!

Gabriella meant Jack's dog, I feel sure.

Perhaps that message could have been sent as a P.M. Gabriella as it might have been kinder?

I think the OP has enough on her plate tonight without thinking about apostrophes!
?

Oops! Just thought.... I could’ve done the same haha! ?

Wren5
Just a hint to let you know that apostrophes ' only show that there is/are a letter/letters missing or to show possession ' Jacks' dog or it's (it is)

Gets, points and hours do not have apostrophes.

You are the very best of grandmothers Wren and I'm sure your grandson will soon realise how lucky he is to have you as his gran ... enjoy your time with him as he grows. Well done!

They do seem ( understandably) to like other little people, even if its only a short time at a playgroup or in the park.

I feel so touched by all your supportive messages, it has helped me so much, I must admit I feel more confident now & with all this fabulous real life experiences you have all given me I'm ready for my 1st Day, thank you all, you have all been so helpful , cannot thank you enough

Some libraries have storytime which mothers attend with quite young children. Mine used to love to go to the children’s section and choose a book to take home. I have looked after all my five grandchildren and they all used to cry when their parents left but didn’t continue for long when I diverted their attention to a toy, book or game. It is only natural to feel apprehensive but you will have a lovely time together.

And if you feel a bit ‘wobbly’ when he’s crying, pretend in a sing song voice that you’re fine and firmly in control (imagine you are a nursery nurse and not related!) and say kindly but confidently ‘come along now it’s all right’ etc.
It helps while you grow in confidence!

Have lots of fun! Do loads of nappy changes, singing to him to distract him (our grandchildren seem far more "difficult" during nappy changes than our own children were), and make sure you put him down for his nap and pick him up when he wakes. Then he will get used to you at these crucial times and you will build up your confidence. Do take him out loads - stimulation and company for both of you - and rest when he naps as you will get more tired as a grandparent than you did as a parent in my experience! Good luck!

Absolutely agree grannyactivist. I do many of these suggestions with my GSs but has been interesting and uplifting to hear what others do.

What a lovely thread - Gransnet at its best!

Trust all the advice you’ve had on here; i’ll add my own as well. Both my grandkids dote in their parents especially their dad .... but just have plenty of activity planned preferable in his push chair to the park , with a ball tucked under your arm and a picnic ( warmer weather). Playing in the garden, helping you to garden if you have one, a paddling pool / sand pit.... he will forget the parents for a few hours and absolutely love being at nannies for the day. You’ll both love it.... I did and so did my grandkids.... enjoy it cos it all goes so fast you won’t believe it.

I think you will be absolutely fine. It’s good it’s at his own house, so everything he wants and knows is there for him. He may be a bit fretful the first 2 or 3 times but will soon get used to it. If I could offer a little bit of advice, I would say :
1) For mum not to make a fuss when she leaves, just kiss, goodbye, have fun with grandma. And

2) don’t let him do a phone call with mummy or daddy whilst they are away. In my very limited experience, this can often make the little one more upset, I truly believe with children it can be out of sight, out of mind.

Very good luck to you.

Distraction - always have something up your sleeve to distract them with. Last week when DGD was fractious, it was a pot of bubble mixture, a couple of weeks ago it was little plastic figures that came free with a comic

I took my grandson to Rhyme Time at the local library. He loved it, and so did I. Lots of singing, actions, and interaction. I also made contact with other grandmothers, as well as young mums. Enjoy the time together - he will soon be off to nursery and then school. Your daughter obviously knows you and your grandson will be just fine.

Thank you so much everyone for all your advice/ support, means so much & has given me so many ideas, I'm sure it will be invaluable to me as my GS gets used to Nanny on the days his mother works I must admit he is my world & even more special because I never thought I'd get to be a Grandmother ever, then suddenly my son had a change of heart & now we have this beautiful, funny little toddler Thank you all again.

Most children cry when left at day care or grandma's. It can be distressing both for you and his mam, but it will stop once he realises that she will come back.

Try distracting him once he has cried for a while.

A trip to a park with a playground can shorten the day and is specially useful for the last couple of hours before his mam comes back.

I found establishing a routine a good thing. Lunch, walk, nap at the same time, but don't adhere to it too rigidly.

Keep some toys at your place if you are looking after him there, you could perhaps try that, if he is unhappy at home without his parents. Going to Gran's can be a big treat.

The first day I started the regime of care of my 9 month old DGD, she was distressed when her Mum left - entirely normal. I sat her on my lap and cuddled her, and talked to her, and sang to here - and this went on for a very long time, but it was what she needed at that moment. Eventually she spotted a toy and gradually crept from my lap and investigated it. After a while she crept back onto my lap.

This went on for several weeks (I only had her one day a week then) and, as time went by she found her feet (ad her voice!) and gained her confidence. She - and now her little brother - are at home here now and bounce in merrily!

I would say just cancel anything else you might have to do on that first day (cook in advance maybe) and just be with the child every moment to begin with - and take your lead from the child.

Good luck - this is a very rewarding task that you are taking on.