Hi there, I’m not a grandparent (yet!) - just a parent so far. But I’m really intrigued & interested to know grandparent - particularly grandma/granny/nana - views on this issue?
I have a husband & 2 young kids. I no longer live near my parents but am only about 1.5 hours away so not a massive distance. My issue is, my mum has been singularly unhelpful as a grandparent. She doesn’t show much interest in her grandkids - a bit more in my brother’s kids as they live much nearer - but she is a ‘hands off’ granny to be sure.
When I was young, my mum worked full time as a teacher and my dad’s mum (her MIL) was really supportive in that she would have me or my brother if we were sick so my mum didn’t have to take time off work. My granny was no spring chicken then either but it wasn’t a lot that was asked of her (handful of times a year) and I know she really appreciated that help and always says how much her MIL (my granny, no longer with us) was. But she’s never offered to help with my kids in that way - and I’ve found that hurtful. Not that I have ever or would ever expect a granny to drop everything or give up her own retirement activities. But just occasionally, now & again, an offer to help would’ve been so nice... so much so that when I hear from other parent friends & acquaintances about how supportive their own mothers have been - especially when the kids are babies and it’s all new - it makes me feel really envious and sad.
Your thoughts from a grandma point of view?
Just how much taxpayers money have the Tories wasted
Is there such a thing as delicious ready meals?