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To Babysit or Not?!

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Grandmama123 Fri 21-Aug-15 13:40:46

Hi Everyone!
This is my first post. :-)
I feel I am stuck in thought about babysitting this coming January 2016 for my precious granddaughter who will turn 'one' at the end of December.
This is my story;
My husband and I moved up north to be closer to my daughter and her twin boys and birth of her daughter, born last Dec. it's fabulous and we love it here. I worked most of my life in an office, sitting at a desk, worked out on and off over the years but nothing serious to keep fit. Just over a year now, I have not acquired work and was stumped as to what to do, and deal with "who am I type thing?" I met my neighbour and her friend who walk in the mornings and invited me along smile the walking has really lifted my spirits in a a lot of ways, I feel stronger, more connected to my community, whole in areas where being involved is necessary.... Little baby girl will need a full time babysitter come January as my daughter heads back to work. I knew the possibility of my looking after baby girl full time, 6:30am to 4:30 pm daily would arise, along with my soon to be 7yr. old twin g sons. Now that I am walking, feeling healthier, enjoying my peers :-), I feel conflicted about losing what I now have to sit in a house in the cold north for 10 hours a day with my adorable g daughter, I don't watch TV.... My daughter posed the big Q, and I told her I'm not sure yet.....
1. I've applied for several jobs, only a few interviews, no hire
2. I guess I'm unofficially retired! LOL
3. I am 63 yrs old.
..... My daughter was disappointed at first, what would I tell others? My mother who lives across the street, not working, won't babysit?!
We are giving this some thought, she does realize how important this walking regime is to me. And, no, I cannot walk with the baby, we go into woods, we drive to places to change it up, I don't have a vehicle yet and in the winter, we will go to an indoor arena for walking and exercise.
I know, grandparents are expected to take over, help out etc. And I will be frowned upon if I say no. A daycare cannot take baby till she is 16-18 mo. Old.
Sorry for the long first post!! Appreciate some input.
Grandmama confused

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Grannygee Wed 09-Sept-15 10:40:50

I haven't read all of the posts but enough to get the gist of the helpful answers. I completely understand how you feel. Not that I'm in that situation because my daughter lives 2 1/2 hrs away but my husband and I have just looked after my two DGS for 3 days and last March for 8 days, both times whilst my daughter and son in law had much needed breaks (her husband is a hotel manager, say no more!) I've never felt so totally exhausted! It was full on from the minute my toe touched the floor in the morning. My husband helped in every way possible and still we were both totally pooped by the time the evening came and they were tucked in. Now this was completely full time for a shortish period so not the same but my point is we're not the age our daughters are! If you looked after your grandchildren every day I think it would completely exhaust you. 5 days is too much! Compromise by doing a couple of days maybe but then if you do get a job part time you will then have filled up your week. I'm 60 next birthday and I know that I'd resent my time being totally used up. Don't do 5 days! good luck and glad you've found some good recreational time. I'm still trying to find 'me' since I retired but I've also got both parents with Alzheimer's whom my husband and I oversee living at home with live in care there. Whoever would've guessed life would become more complicated as we get into our dotage?

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ginny Wed 09-Sept-15 12:00:10

Nannyfrance., I'm afraid words fail me! Expected to do all that. Whose children are they and who decided to have them in the first place ?

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