Grandparents Day - what's the best thing about being a grandparent?

I had no idea it was Grandparents day, and I don't want to
draw my family's attention to it or they will feel obliged to buy yet more cards, flowers, etc.
I've loved being a grandparent, and a real favourite was taking them to the swing park. I must have spent hundreds of hours pushing them on the swings and hearing them shout "Higher, Nan", or "Push harder, Nan". And they all eenjoyed the fact that I like swings too and often used to have a little go, if there was no-one about.
My grandchildren are older now, the youngest is 15, so we no longer go to swing-parks. But for my 80th birthday at the end of this month I am being given a swinging garden chair so that I can carry on swinging into my 80's. It's great being a swinging Nan!
I like them being older, they turn into friends as well as grandchildren. It's not just me supporting them with their problems, they help support me with mine.,
Another thing is that as they grew older they sometimes felt they could confide things in me that they didn't want to tell their parents. Of course, if it was important, I had to urge them to tell their parents, but I felt privileged at being consulted on all sorts of personal problems and like to think that I have helped them at times... And I still know some stuff about them that their parents don't know!

Agree with inishowen completely. I don't get to see my one GC often enough because of the distance - but it is so special when she phones and tells me about her day and I can keep up with how much she is learning about the world and her place in it.And I have cards and pictures she has drawn to look at too.
Sorry about your situation Marnie. Heartbreaking for you. Hope things improve

Grandparents day was first celebrated in the UK in 1990. I remember it well as it was my firstborn's birth year so my MIL's first year as a grandparent. The date - 22nd of September - was her birthday. Needless to say she made a very big deal of it announcing that "they had invented it specially for her!" We were left with no choice but to give her a grandparent's day card, although my brother told my mum that she needn't expect him to celebrate it and get her anything! Thankfully it only lasted a couple of years before being dropped. I guess many people shared my brother's sentiments and decided it was , as others have said, simply a ploy on behalf of the card manufacturers. We have mother's day and father's day and becoming a grandparent doesn't mean we stop being mothers and fathers so it seemed a bit unnecessary, and I was glad it was soon forgotten.

My DGD's are the best- DGD No 1 is 5 and DGD No 2 will be 7 months old on Thursday. Best thing that ever happened to my DD who, frankly, was a total pain in the bum for 9 years (12 until 21 when she got pregnant with DGD No 1) . I love spending time with my DGDs though I don't spend as much time with them as I would like as I work full time. I get a card & a present from the DGDs on Mothers Day and wouldn't expect anything on Grandparents Day.

The best thing is still being here to watch them turn from adorable babies into lovely young people, quite happy to leave it at that no need for more cards etc.

Last week my goodbye from 15month old was a kiss on my nose

I hope all grandparents in the US have a lovely grandparents day!
However, I sincerely hope it does not take off in the UK. I just don't need another money making day. There is nothing better than a home made card and I can't wait for the day when I receive my first card from my GD. She is just 3 and a half and I love her sooo much!

I have just returned from a lovely Lunch with my DD, DiL & DGSs & friends for DD's Birthday. Love the unconditional cuddles from DGS1 who is 7. DGS2 is only 16 weeks but will already follow my voice.

The joy on DGS1's face when I go to visit especially if he doesn't know I'm going. Giving my love & time is special, I worked full-time when DD was growing up, she loved the time spent with her DGPs, I hope I'm giving the same to my DGSs

Tomorrow is our grandparents day, our little monkey is coming to visit with his dad, can't wait. Five days of chasing and cuddles!

Lovely comments. Especially liked the one from radical nan.

I came downstairs yesterday and my 2 year old granddaughter jumped up and down excitedly and shouted " my nana, my nana". It brought a huge emotional lump to my throat lol.