Worried about grandchild starting nursery

I had this when the time came for me to stop looking after my grandchildren. I joined a local WI haven't looked back, I'm involved in some WI groups (book group, quiz group) and would recommend it if you have one in your local area.

Schools are often looking for people to sit with young children and listen to them read. This may fill a gap for both of you.

Quite honestly with the U3A you could fill up every spare moment but along with volunteering the local library often have things happening. A friend goes to a knit and natter session there.
There is also walking groups

Join a few local groups with similar interests. Don't worry, yiu willstill be needed for school holidays, I set days, teachers strikes, snow days. Also when he's not well eniugh to go to school. ❤️❤️

Remember that schools don’t stay open all year like nurseries do. So I’m guessing that in a couple of years when the little boy goes to school you will actually be wanted to do more than you do now because of the long school holidays. This is what happened to me and it was a wonderful time.

I quite enjoyed looking after my little grandsons but absolutely nothing would induce me to work with anybody else’s children, and now they’ve moved I’m happy with just my dogs and cats.
My friend aged 77 goes to our village primary school one morning a week to listen to children read individually, but she’s the first to volunteer any help with any village event or groups. If you’ve that sort of confidence I’m sure there will be a warm welcome wherever you choose to offer your time. Good luck!

I looked after my grandson 2 days a week from him being 6 weeks old until last September when he started school. He's only 4 so doesn't have legally be there until this September, I actually asked my son if he'd consider only sending him to school 4 days and me still having him one day lol unfortunately it was decided that he'd go to school. Primarily because he's very clever and they want to make sure he gets all the education possible and I'm not the best person to educate kids.

But honestly I still miss him being here, and him in general as they live in the next city so I don't see him often enough. In contrast to my daughter and her kids who live 3 minutes walk away and I see them daily.

I've found myself lazing around on Tuesdays and Fridays now, I'm at a loss as to what to do. Hopefully I'll get out of the rut soon.

Offer your time to a school. They are always happy to have people to listen to reading. I used to enjoy it.

You'll have his holidays to look forward too. In the meantime resume or take up a hobby, make connections with friends and, why not visit your DH a bit more even though he has dementia.

Thank you once again for all the good advice
I think volunteering at the school is definitely something I would like to do ( I was a teacher )
I don’t have many hobbies but will keep thinking and looking what new things I could do
I have also thought about WI and there are some groups locally
As for visiting my husband more that is not really an option as I can’t have any sort of a decent conversation and I hate the care home he is at mainly because of quite a few unfriendly staff
Thanks again

When my DGS started school, I volunteered to help with reading on the afternoon that I collected him - brilliant. When they do sewing, I help with that too.

He is now in Y8 and, apart from COVID, I have been doing it ever since, just one morning a week at the moment, but schools are always keen for the extra help. www.schoolreaders.org/

I have joined my local Trefoil guild and U3A, and do aquarobics and beginners line dancing

Contact your local u3a and see if any of their groups attract you to join them and meet new people