What are the joys of grandparenting

Grandchildren are truly a blessing, I have 7 aged 4 years to 4 months. They have certainly given me a new lease of life and I am determined to keep fit and healthy to enjoy them to the full. They give me so much and I them.
Sewing vegetable seeds in the greenhouse, smelling roses and lavender in the summer, watering and picking tomatoes, making fairy cakes and biscuits - oh what joy.

In my experience the first week for the new parents is bonding time, new mummy and daddy learning to be a family and the wonder of a new life. Our job as grandparents is to watch and wait and support. We are lucky that our grandchildren all live locally so we just delivered meals, shopping and washing! Then from week 2 when dad's go back to work you can be there to support and help.

Our first daughter gave birth unexpectedly and quickly and was in hospital for over a week with her husband by her side as the birth was traumatic for both mum and baby. When they eventually returned home to the flat they left in haste they were not at all ready for the new arrival. We took over, dispensed an anxious mum to relax in a warm 'salt' bath, daddy cuddled baby and grandad and grandma tidied, cleaned, arranged furniture, cooked a hot meal to last for a couple of days then left promptly when mum and baby were safely tucked up in bed.

The next morning we received a lovely message to say that they couldn't have done it without us and they felt much better. That was all the thanks we needed knowing that we were appreciated.

Since then many more babies have been born and the joy and love of grandchildren just grows and like all grandparents we are there supporting when necessary.

P.s. Pushchairs remain a mystery along with car seat belt straps!!!

3 of my first 7 grandchildren are in the US and I only see them once a year and the other 4 always lived a good trip away. They are all between 25 and 17 and we have a good relationship and love seeing them BUT we now have two more from younger daughters. They are 8 mths and 17 mths. I can't tell you the difference in having them close by and seeing them so regularly. We look after the 17 mth old one day a week and will do the same for the 8 mth old when her Mum returns to work in April. They are delightful and we are so happy to have another brood with which to be involved. Today the 17 mth old was visiting with his Mum and they arrived just before I arrived home and they let them selves in. I came home 5 minutes later to be told GS had been running around looking for me and calling Ne ne his version of Granny. It made my heart ache to think he couldn't find me!! As others say it is the hugs and kisses they give you that is so amazing. Good luck Imperfect, it gets better and better.

Chuckles like ....

ME: Your willies r on wrong feet shall I help you swop them?
GD(2 yrs): Me do it.
Five mins later
GD: Is that more suitable?

We didn't have vocabularies like that in my day!!

I wish I had more energy though.

Sorry meant wellies !!!! Ooooppppssss

3 yr old son of friends sitting in carseat behind his parents who were arguing about the route, ' stop the chat and crack on with the driving' !!!!

I felt just like you when 1st Dgd was born. After all the excitement of the 1st few days, we definately weren't needed while SIL was on paternity leave. We didn't call very often to let them bond as a family and it nearly felt like a bit of an anticlimax! However once SIL went back to work, we were in great demand. 2 years on, we see DGD every single day and it's fantastic.
DGS born 12 days ago (1st baby for DD2) and we're going through same situation! Can't wait for SIL to go back to work.

Being able to act like a child again and enjoy doing things that I enjoyed as a child playing games ,colouring in, enjoying Disney films and singing along with them grandchildren bring out the best in you.