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Grandparenting

Grandparent vs parent

(20 Posts)
Heirofthedog Fri 02-Oct-15 10:04:18

I've been 'offline' a little bit while meeting my new grandson. He is utterly adorable with the most kissable cheeks ever. I've had to delete the next few paragraphs at the risk of boring everyone senseless! grin
Dad and mum are managing very well too and are equally besotted.

It was interesting for me being a 'grandparent' for the first time and watching my son with his son. Although I do miss being a parent to a very little, dependent being, I think being a grandparent is going to suit me very well.
You get to do the really fun stuff don't you?

How have others of you with older grandkids found it? What do you think are the best bits about being a grandparent, rather than a parent? What do I have to look forward to?

Luckygirl Fri 02-Oct-15 10:06:39

Loads to look forward to! - too much to describe! Enjoy!

LullyDully Fri 02-Oct-15 11:30:02

Enjoy your Grandson.

I remember holding my latest GS shortly after he was born. My son, a first time Dad, had to ask for him back. Seems I must have been hogging him!! !!

Heirofthedog Fri 02-Oct-15 13:27:18

Thanks both. I was trying VERY hard not to hog him but it was tough! Am trying to be very respectful of the new parents and what they want to do. Having to bite my lip of course because I'm aware even if I'm only trying to help, it may come across as criticism. I did the washing up and made tea and tried to be as helpful as possible in the hope they'll want me round more often! Fingers crossed.

OlderNoWiser Fri 02-Oct-15 13:40:27

The great thing I have found about being "Nanny" to my two grandchildren, now aged 6 and 4, is that I could, and still do stuff with them that Mum & Dad do not have time for in their busy lives. I am very lucky to have been very closely involved in their upbringing, as both DS and my lovely DIL work full-time, so I was part-time childminder until the younger one started school this year. They treat my home like their own and can't wait to get here.
The upturn of this is that I seem to have a lot of the fun whilst Mum & Dad have the responsibility. I have spent hours playing and doing daft stuff over the last few years. The other day Oscar, 6, gave me big hug and said "Nanny, I do love you so much." When I asked why that is, he replied "Because you're silly".
Bite your lip, that's always good, nobody will see the bitemarks on your tongue, but look forward to a lot of fun, love and laughter, and get stuck in. They'll thank you for it.

tanith Fri 02-Oct-15 15:16:33

The great thing about my grandchildren who are mostly grown up now is they come and paint my house and do some of the jobs that DH and I can't manage anymore grin, they are planning for us all to go on a family caravan holiday next year as they all agree they were the most memorable holidays from their childhood and its so heartwarming that they have such lovely memories of us being involved in their childhood.
They are also starting families of their own so I now have a GGChild and I'm sure there will be more in time

So enjoy them as much as you can and lay down memories they can carry into adulthood.

jinglbellsfrocks Fri 02-Oct-15 18:03:26

It's the smiles that just come when you think about them.

whitewave Fri 02-Oct-15 18:06:17

Grandchildren? The compensation for getting older!

NotTooOld Fri 02-Oct-15 21:16:20

My two older GC use to come to our house to do the messy things they were not allowed to do at home. We spent many a happy hour with canvasses on easils on the kitchen table, or with needles and scissors making all sorts of things. They are at secondary school now so we don't see so much of them, so I would say make the most of the early years.

Welshwife Fri 02-Oct-15 21:58:12

I have loved every minute of being a grandmother - my oldest two grandchildren are now 25 and almost 23 and as we are in UK (going home tomorrow night) we have met them a few evenings to eat out together at their suggestion - when I went on my own they even paid for me and drove me 30 miles back to where I have been staying. The youngest - which are really step grandchildren- are only nine months old and adorable- twin boys - just starting to get to grips with what they are able to do like tugging on the TV leads etc - they are still wonderfully cuddly and are fine with me bathing them etc. My middle ones - 15 and 10 live in USA - so not seen so often but still good fun when we do meet. I have only one GD - she is the 23 year old - and we are very alike with opinions, fears etc so have good times together. Luckily they are all very fond of OH too!

Deedaa Fri 02-Oct-15 22:43:41

Even looking after GS1 & 2 for 5 days a week while they were babies I still found I got mainly the fun stuff and none of the worry!! It wasn't me they were keeping up all night smile This afternoon GS2 and I collected GS1 from school and went down to the playground for an hour. I was able to sit in the sun watching them with no worries about cooking dinner for them or getting them to bed or worrying about having to be up for work myself.

maxgran Wed 07-Oct-15 11:31:22

I have six grandchildren aged from 18 down to 3 years old.
The best thing I have found is the time I spend with them. I am able to just 'be' with them without all the worry I had when I had my children.
It is lovely to be friends with them and to play games that I never had time to play with my own children.
The grandchildren just love me without any resentments or battles between us because I don't have to parent them. Having said that, they know the boundaries when they are with me and are much better behaved for me than their parents!

josie1949 Sun 25-Oct-15 18:09:12

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Welshwife Sun 25-Oct-15 18:34:42

Why?

Iam64 Sun 25-Oct-15 18:51:34

not wishing to seem overly critical but I don't understand why you'd post a photograph of your grandchild on a public forum. Perhaps you can get this photograph removed>

annodomini Sun 25-Oct-15 19:13:32

My first GD and her half brother used to come on picnics with me and whenever there was a film they wanted to see I took them to that as well. They used to drop in on the way home from school if I was at home. When I was standing for election for the Council, GD posted leaflets through doors with me. She became a good baker of cakes and cookies in my kitchen and is still a good cook. When GCSEs loomed, I coached her for the English papers. And then, when she went to Uni, I took her out to lunch at least once a month. Was so proud of her when she graduated. When I last saw her, she took me out to dinner. Younger GC live too far away for me to be involved to the same extent, but I love to be with them.

NanKate Sun 25-Oct-15 22:12:14

The feeling I had/have with my two young grandsons is similar to falling in love. My love for those two terrors is all consuming.

On holiday they asked me to watch a film with them, the 4 year old sat next to me with his arm through mine and the 2 year old lay half on top of me. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. grin

ninathenana Mon 26-Oct-15 00:50:37

I love it when they run to you with arms outstretched a big grin on their face, shouting Nannie ! (mine are 6 and 3)
I love cosying up on the sofa listening to the oldest one read.
I love teaching them to ride their bikes.
I love that I have all the time in the world for them when they are here and can answer all those questions that busy parents often don't have time for.
I love that I can hand them back grin

josie1949 Mon 26-Oct-15 20:24:53

hi iam never give it a thought how do i remove this photo/?

Iam64 Mon 26-Oct-15 21:22:23

If you do want it removed josie 1949, I expect if you press the 'report' button on the post, you can then ask the moderators to delete your post.
I hope things improve for you in the difficulties with your daughter and contact with your lovely grand daughter.