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Grandparenting

How long to see a newborn grandchild?

(28 Posts)
lotus888 Sat 27-Aug-22 06:46:18

I’d appreciate some other people’s perspective. Here’s the situation. Although I’ve tried my best to be friendly to my daughter in law 30, she’s very controlling & has a cold attitude towards me. My son 30, has Aspergers; his social skills are adequate, but he's never been very warm towards the family.

They got married without family present 2 yrs ago & say they, didn’t invite either family-side, to the wedding due to Covid (though I suspect her family was there) [I asked her then how to contact her parents, to congratulate them (but she’s not comfortable with me meeting them) they’ve never contacted me either, despite the marriage, yet she is close to them] I live 1 hr drive away.

She’s expected to deliver by the end of Sept. but because the baby is breech, may have a C-section sooner. I get roughly 3 phone calls a yr from them, so I was surprised yesterday, when I got a call saying, they wanted to visit in 2 days time to get the baby gift, because, I won't be allowed to see the baby until mid Dec. because of Covid. She also doesn’t want an indoor visit at my home, because of Covid. Yet, she suggested we all go to the pub, for dinner on the patio.

They asked for some small items ie pacifier & comb as the gift. Good thing I got some toys earlier, because I ordered the pacifiers & comb online, which won’t be delivered until next week. I guess I’ll mail it.

My question is, I have been friendly & not over-stepped. (I asked if I have offended her in anyway. She says no). I’m worried that she'll be very controlling once the baby’s here. I think that 2 months is a long time to 1st see a 1st grandchild.

I respect her boundaries, & if she doesn’t want baby held, I’ll understand. I’ve always given them space & haven’t meddled, Of course the 1st 3 weeks are for parent/child bonding, but I find it odd that I’m told to wait 2- 2 ½ mo.

Any advice? Am I too eager? How long did others have to wait for a short visit to see their grandchild?

lotus888 Sun 28-Aug-22 04:57:09

Thank you for all the great suggestions everyone.
I'm new here & am so happy I found this website.
Many of you gave me good ideas, I hadn't considered before.
It was very helpful.

NotSpaghetti Sun 28-Aug-22 09:02:23

Welcome lotus - and congratulations on the little one.

I'm another who thinks you will probably see the new little family about as much as you have been doing.
I have 5 children, three with children of their own. Mostly I see them about the same as I did before the babies came along - though I do go to cricket matches and swimming galas etc now the children are older.

I think we are a close family - though most definitely not in each others pockets - and I'm happy to drop everything in an emergency.
I don't do any regular "daycare" for any of them though have done so for periods if needed.

Like Grammaretto I lived a long way from parents and in-laws when my family was growing and, like her, I was not prepared to hand my babies round so everyone got a "turn".

I think we all find the way to be the best parents we can be. The solutions are different as we are different people.
Be patient. My own children loved my parents dearly in spite of the distance and irregular contact. Please try not to worry. flowers