taking to nursery

Last weekend I informed DS that I was intending to visit his sister in May, his reply "that's not half term is it ?"

You are NOT ruining her career - do not buy into that one!

There is always a difficult balance to be struck between helping our children - and enjoying the GC at the same time - and doing too much.

I think the definition of too much is when you feel uncomfortable about it - I think you are at that point, and very reasonably so.

Some compromise is needed - you need to be able to be grandma - this is what my local DD always tells me.

What would your daughter do if you didn't live near? And I agree with Faye, until it's proper school, there's usually a lot of flexibility around when they can arrive and leave. We love having our DGS for holidays or going to cover for parents at other times but live too far away to make it a regular or routine arrangement. Our DS and DDiL have had to make other arrangements as many thousands do.

I would do it and would look after them in my own home or at their home so they didn't have to go to child care. If I didn't want to stay with them all day I would at least let them have a bit more time at home and take them later in the morning to child care, nothing worse than rushing little ones when they have just woken up.

I have just taken on another eighteen months looking after my youngest GC for four days a week while my daughter is doing a course. This year I had planned to do tai chi and some other courses but living in a rural area and out of town I now can't fit it in as we go shopping and have lunch in town on my daughter's day off. Still I have looked after D1's daughters for years and my son's eldest boy one day a week for a year, I can't say no to D2.

If I didn't say yes D2 couldn't do this course until later and I am getting much more than sleeping in. I get lots of time with my GD, she is adorable and will only be a baby for such a short time. I don't think my daughter is being selfish and I will help any of my children.

If you feel it's too much, it is too much! I'm 60 and find looking after my little granddaughter a couple of times a week absolutely exhausting. If my daughter had had her baby ten years ago I would have coped better. This may be the problem, we become grans much older these days.

It is a hard one for parent and grandparent. My DDs do not 'expect' childcare but will ask for help with daytime /pick up/drop off and evening childcare..we are the first port of call but if I'm busy they understand or say with a grin 'Outrageous, how dare you have a social life!'
I have volunteered to help with DD1 and will have DGS2 for a day a week from Easter whiih helps to make it worth while financially for her to work.

I would say my life is split 30/70 childcare / my time but I am happy with that and that is what matters. If the time came when they needed more (though unlikely) I would have to give it careful thought.

Flexible working - you have the right to ask and employers need to consider, but they do not have to grant it, depends on "business needs".
Overwhelming agreement on this thread!
Not a lot of fun "taking to nursery" I did it for a while when DIL had a baby and stroppy 3 year old really took it out on me - the evil woman that took her to nursery when mummy was at home with the baby.
Not a fun part of grandparenting. I got yelled at a lot. "Don't say that nana! And what are you laughing about nana. Stop smiling I can see you in the mirror!" that sort of thing
My DIL works night shifts as a nurse at the moment. DS starts work early. they have employed a babysitter - a student - who works 6am til 8am. Solutions can be found.

Good for you!

Her children are not your responsibility!

thank you so much for your replies gransnetters, your advice much appreciated. I am going to stick to my guns and let them get on with it. If they manage to sort out other arrangements I can then be pleased to help out in an emergency situation.

I wouldn't do it. It can be quite upsetting dropping off little children at nursery - sometimes they are not very happy go go? It is stressful getting them ready, dressed, out the door and then settled in nursery. You will be exhausted for the rest of the day!! It is like you are being asked to be the baddy who leaves the children at nursery or am I reading too much into this? If they have an occasional day when they scream and hang on to you (and what wee toddler doesn't have days like this) you will be a wreck. Don't do it! And don't feel guilty - it is the curse of grans everywhere.

Ask your daughter to check with the nursery. Although they might not officially open until 8am, in some nurseries the manager and key staff are often there by 7.30am.

My nephew drops his son off at nursery half an hour early by special arrangement and two or three other children are already there eating breakfast.

I agree with all those who said 'Don't do it'. Your children must show their own responsibility in organising their lives AND in realising that you can't have your cake and eat it too.

When my DD said once"My children, my problem" I felt so relieved since I had up to that point felt that somehow I had to find solutions. What everybody has said is absolutely right!
However, one thing occurs to me, just because nursery opens at 8 does not mean the children have to be there on the dot of - it's not like school. When DD went back to work after DGS1 was born, I used to pick him up one afternoon a week so that she could stay late at the office, do play, tea, bath and bedtime and stay over so that the next morning she could be off at 7.30 (having got him up) I finished off breakfast, got him dressed and took him to nursery (later and later each week as I preferred to play with him!) around 9.30 before driving home again (1 1/2 hours)It was only 1 child and I loved it as I built up a relationship with him that I cannot replicate with DGS2 because circumstances are different and I haven't got the car seats etc for 2.
So 1) it is her responsibility to find a solution and it need not be as black and white as "can't go back to work" - you are certainly not ruining her career!!
and 2) there will still be ways you can help if you feel able but you can offer what you feel is possible.
BTW, love that quote, ruthdpl !

My DiL's company hadn't previously been asked for flexible working and asked her to write her own proposal which was then accepted and became an example for others to follow. Perhaps your DD could do something similar. On the other hand, do you think that, deep down, she doesn't really want to go back to work and is looking for an excuse? How much does she care about her career? Does she feel insecure about succeeding and would like to find a way out so that she need not risk becoming a failure?

Notso has the answer sorted in one.

I agree with all those who say don't do it. Resentment would pile up and you would be exhausted.

When is right, her company must consider flexible working and so must her partner's employer. I am sure that this could be accommodated if they wanted to do it and putting the blame on you is just the start of taking advantage.

If it were me I would do the research for them and give them some suggestions but I do think their first option is to talk to their company HR department.

Stay strong and don't be blackmailed!

It is very hard to say no especially if you're at home and don't work. I look after my friends grandson 2 days a week while his mum who is a single parent works,I have done since he was a few months old and he has became part of our family. I receive no payment,not that I would take any but a lillte box of chocs or small bunch of flowers once in a while would be nice even a card on my birthday but that is always ignored. I love this little boy to bits but sometimes I feel you can be too flexible and obliging. I also have my GD most week ends overnight she is 18 mths and it's tiring.
I think employers are now bound to give their working flexible working for under fives so if your daughter could ask about that it coukd help her with getting child to nursery.
I also think its hard on young children to be dragged from bed so early and hurried to get dressed and get to nursery all that should be a pleasant experience and for many children its not.
I didn't return to work until my children were at school. We struggled,lived in a council house and only had a couple of holidays abroad while young but I gave them my time and you can't put a price on that.
I think there should be classes on how to say "no"

I love a nice quote (I'm a lecturer; I can't help it!) and I think this one sums it up aptly - 'Change your expectation for appreciation and your world changes'.

Sadly, we appear to have raised a generation of 'children' who have high expectations but are almost completely lacking in the ability to show their appreciation - for what we have done for them and continue to do.

Maybe fillygumbo, you could suggest to your dd that as soon as she learns to say 'please' & 'thank you' she may find that people become more helpful.

It is very difficult to say no, but you have to, if you feel that way. We have had GS 3 days a week, when my daughter was part time, but when she decided to go full time, we certainly didn't offer to do the other 2 days. although it seemed almost expected. My daughter made choices, we don't mind helping, but she has to take responsibility. It is true that with having to pay 1 day childminder (Dad has GD the other day) her extra 2 days work are not as lucrative. But as much as we love GS, we just need our time. There were the usual talk of well, hardly worth it with childminder, not sure it will be worth it, but we took no notice. Our DD's generation is very good at trying to have it all, childminder fees a problem but gym membership and take aways don't seem to be. So only do what you would enjoy doing. Anything more and you will resent it, the children will pick up on it and it will end badly.

There are lots of other options including childminders who will take the children to nursery, school clubs and waiting until the children are older to have a career.

Not all childminders only do caring in their homes. Perhaps it would be an idea to sit down and talk about the options and perhaps do some investigating on her behalf so that you can go with suggestions. I'm all for helping and keeping it in the family when it is possible, but as people have said flexible working and looking at other alternatives have to be the first port of call. At the end of the day their life is not your responsibility and the children's father should be supporting her to find a solution.

It sounds like - sorry to say this as it sounds a bit harsh - your daughter needs to grow up and face up to her responsibilities.

Lots of women manage to continue or even further their careers whilst bringing up children. If she can't arrange things so she can get the DC to nursery, how about her partner/husband? And if they can't work it between them, they need some kind of formal childcare.

Don't be bullied by her because, sad to say, this is what she is doing.

Helping with your GC should be a pleasure rather than a duty, and you must never forget that you have your life to live. And your daughter has to recognise this too.

I agree with all of the above comments - you have bought up your children it's now her turn to bring up hers. Perhaps people should sit and think out the logistics before embarking upon having children.
However, as grandparents of course we like to help out with our GC - it should be a pleasure not a chore though. It is only 2 days though, I know the idea of getting up at 6,00am at our time of life sounds dreadful , I know I would blanche at the thought [with my poor ole' bones]. Could she not do as others have suggested and look around for another nursery or have a talk at work about her hours. I'm sure the remark she made was borne out of desperation and by now you have both come to a better plan. You know you aren't going to ruin her career but maybe you/your husband could take it in turns. After all you had the 2 boys for 2 whole days - a walk to and from nursery is going to seem very easy by comparison.

Absolutely, say no. It's your time now and you deserve a break. My DD's MIL looks after her children 1 day a week and when it's not convenient, DD has to make alternative arrangements. After 5 days of 2 small grandsons, I really don't know how you Grans cope with looking after your gc's week after week [crazy/admiration emoticon]

It's emotional blackmail, pure and simple. She has made life choices that conflict. It is not your responsibility to sort out that conflict. Just say no, you don't want the job.

My dd hasnt appeared to mind but has said if I cant help she cannot return to work so potentially I could be ruining her career, so what do you other grans think please AIBU?

A prime example of passive aggression.....'it's OK, I understand but remember when my life is in ruins it will all be your fault.'

Your daughter has to make that age old decision....children or career. If she wants the best of both then she has to make her own arrangements. There will be other nurseries that open earlier.