to hope I don't have to post here again for at least 20 years?

Nono, I asked this very question on another thread and was enlightened by a helpful gran. However, the more threads I read, the more initials turn up. Could I ask on behalf of all those new to forums, including myself, that the first time things are written in full with the initials following and thereafter initials can be used?

superdupergran, good idea, in fact that's what I've already done on another thread, I've put Gran in Waiting as GIW

I'm sure Gransnet Towers will compile a list of frequently used initials and their meanings, as they have done for those of us who've come over to visit from Mumsnet.
But I guess they haven't done so yet partly as it's down to the Gransnet members what comes up eg. the great one above GIW - Gran In Waiting !

I was never one of those mothers who longed to become a grandparent. Instead, I hoped that my sons would do exciting things and embrace parenthood if and when they were good and ready. Which is how it has worked out. I absolutely adore my dgd but also love the pleasure that my DS and DDIL get from being parents. Win, win, I reckon! Oh, and absolutely NO Horlicks in this house. I prefer something rather more "spiritual"!

This time last year the only things on my mind were my eldest daughters plans to marry in 2011 and my youngests daughters 21st the same year. Becoming a grandmother couldn't have been further from my mind. Yet here we are in 2011, no wedding but ED (eldest daugher) gave me my first grandchild, a boy, ten weeks ago and the youngest a grandaughter four weeks ago and just a couple of weeks before her 21st.

Am I happy?

You bet ya!

I was 57 before I became a granny. Good age, not long till I retired and was able to help with 2nd even though they lived abroad. One of myfriends became a great granny about the time I became a granny. Any age is OK as long as the parents are happy.

Being a grandmother is a priveledge in my opinion. Don't understand grandparents who don't want to be involved. It's part of life's rich progression and such fun. We are so lucky.....

nanapippa...hoorah to that...my seven grandchildren - ranging from one to twenty two are an absolute JOY!

I love being a Grandmother, so nice when the children get on your nerves they can go home to their Parents!!! I quite like forums, well some of them, but I had never thought of going on mumsnet, always assumed it was for the youngesters, the reason I have joined granset, but perhaps I will have a peek now and see if i have been missing anything.

Mumsnet is excellent and certainly not just for youngsters.

But do be aware that discussions are not littered with "hugz and huns". People are direct - especially in the MN version of AIBU - so it is not recommended for those who easily take Umbrage.

Mouse - lovely for your daughters to have kids so close in age, and to become Mums at nearly the same time. My kids love playing with their cousins. Friends you know will always be around !

I bet you're thrilled to be a Granny x2 !

Of course you are not being unreasonable - all of us want the best for our children and we are kind of conditioned to believe that that includes them doing loads of interesting and adventurous stuff in their teens and 20's.

Having said that I am a Mum to a Teen Mum ... my younger daughter was only 18 when she had my grandson and is expecting her 2nd this October - shortly after her 20th birthday.

Her sister is completely different - she has a good career, is saving to travel and parties hard ... neither is jealous of the other as they have very different personalities and ideas about what they want from life

Am I disappointed at being a Nonna so young (I'm only 45 now)? Not at all ... it's what she wanted, she's a fantastic Mum and, in all honesty, she was never going to travel the world or immerse herself in a high flying career - who am I or anyone else to judge? I'm proud of them both for being their own people and doing well what they each wanted to do ... and I love, love, love everything about being a grandparent

In the long run, it doesn't matter one jot whether you want to be a granny or not – that's down to the next generation. What matters is the kind of granny you choose to be – if the time comes.

Being a gran is the best thing ever-today my 2 yr old said to me,'I'm happy happy happy cos you got off the aeroplane grandma'.I just came home from a holiday in Italy.

Best thing ever. All the fun and none of the stress! Lots of excuses for outings to zoos, parks, the seaside, museums and at a time in our lives when we can afford it. Also seeing the pleasure that the great grandparents get from our gs x2