I don't want to be a child minder

Very interesting to read everyone’s views and all perfectly valid - each to their own!

We have 3 AC and eldest daughter is currently pregnant with our first GC. She has struggled to conceive and has gone through 3 rounds of IVF to reach this point.

DH and I still work part time but I’m looking forward to retiring once the baby arrives and to helping with childcare.

It’s a new and exciting chapter for us and DH and I will be very happy to help out when our DD and SIL return to work after each taking (separately) a period of parental leave.

We will take care of our GC for 2 days each week and we can’t wait!
We’re lucky in that we live close enough to help out and are both in good health. My mum did the same for us when our children were younger and it’s something I’ve been looking forward to for years!

It wouldn't have been possible for us to do regular childcare, because the DGSs live 100s of miles away. We wouldn't have wanted to do it anyway.
But 3 or 4 times a year we used to go there for the half-term weeks, or a week during school holidays. We just took over the childcare, washing, shopping, cleaning, cooking and gardening so that DD and SiL could relax when they got home from work. We did need a rest when we got home!

I'm sorry to read your reply so late. I'm beginning to feel I might join you in the estrangement; I don't want to give up the chance of doing something for me.
I hope things may be a bit better for you now.