Worried about grandchild starting nursery

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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. ❤️❤️

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

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.

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.

I must be the worst grandmother in the world as I can't wait for my GD to start high school in September to get my days back. Hubby is at home but is slowing down, but I love to go out on my own.

I was in the same position as you. I look after my grandson 3 times a week (and have done since he was a few months old) Like you full days in the beginning, now I only have him full days in school holidays. He is now 8. I busy myself around the house or go shopping etc but I'm always clock watching until it's time to collect him. It's surprising how that time flies. Do you have any hobbies?
As my grandson is getting older I'm thinking, it won't be long until I'm no longer wanted at all.
So enjoy each day with him as it comes.

Did you not have a hobby that you enjoyed and that you laid aside while looking after this grandchild?

Could you not take it up again, or find a new hobby?

Or join a group of walkers once a week? Or some other outdoor activity if that sort of thing interests you?

Our join a book-club at your local library. I did after my husband's death. The books are not particularly interesting, but I enjoy the company of the other women.

A new hobby or two maybe? Online bridge?

I can completely understand how you feel. Judging by my own experiences with my GC we need to accept changes in their lives. Think about how much benefit your GC will derive from going to nursery and how it will prepare him for reception. As their lives change ours do too. I really miss the times I spent with my GC when they were small. On the plus side spending that special time with them has given me a strong bond with them. As others say now is the time to find other things to occupy your time. This isn’t as easy as it sounds! I’m not one for clubs and hobbies at all. I know that there may be playgroups near you who might like some help or you could try a charity shop.

Lots of good suggestions OP. As you often read. "Embrace change" as your little GC will be doing. Time to spend on yourself which GC will benefit from as well. Happy gran. Happy child.

Thank you all for your kind , encouraging words and practical answers .
Yes I am going to enquire at volunteering at the school and I hope they will be open to my suggestion but I don’t know yet as I haven’t tried
At the church where I go the other day they were asking for volunteers to help the children read but that’s a different school but it needn’t matter
I also like working with animals and yes I should spend more time on myself as that is something I have neglected

You clearly like the company of young children. Have you considered volunteering at one of the local schools, perhaps not the one your GS will attend, and helping the children with their reading? You will need to have a DBS check though,

School paid for mine when I was a governor. And expenses, not that I needed them but would have paid mileage, etc.

Allira

If you are thinking of volunteering at a school, be aware you have to have an Enhanced DBS check, probably at your own expense.

The school paid for mine. I didn't realise that wasn't what all schools did.

Notjustaprettyface I can’t praise volunteering enough it mentally saved me My Dad died, 6 months later my mum died then my job ended, all in the one year I was lost. After a year of me moping around, my daughter pushed me to do some voluntary work, that was 11 years ago and I ve never looked back, I would be lost without it

I agree with Cabbie21, see if there is a U3A near you. Lots going on in my local one.
I enjoyed looking after grandchildren around their nursery too, happy days.

If you are thinking of volunteering at a school, be aware you have to have an Enhanced DBS check, probably at your own expense.