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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what for advice on becoming a grandparent

63 replies

Lifebeganat50 · 24/07/2025 08:03

(Previous username resurrected for a name change!)

We found out last night that dd is pregnant-absolutely over the moon!

what’s the best advice you can give for being absolutely supportive and creating the best relationship between us at this point, without overstepping anything?

Her partner asked her last night if she’d breast or bottle feed, what did I think, and I just said that you feed a baby in the way that works best for you…was this the right approach? I bf my babies very successfully but I don’t want her to feel under any pressure, but I don’t want to appear disinterested

OP posts:
5128gap · 24/07/2025 09:07

My advice is that as her mum, you are the one best placed to know your DDs unique personality, the relationship she has with you, and where she'd see you on the spectrum of welcome support to overstepping. So rather than seek a blue print of advice to be the perfect GP, centre your DD and your SiL in your behaviour and try to be the GP they would want you to be. Which will be different from what people on here would want.
The only rules I'd say, is let them lead. If asked an opinion, give it honestly (if they wanted text book they'd Google, they're asking you for a reason!) but gently and without judgement.
Try very hard, particularly in the early days after the birth to remember that however excited you are and how in love with new DGC you are, your DD is YOUR child, so should remain the focus of your attention. My mum was the only person who visited me after the birth who looked at me, kissed me and asked after me before looking at DD. It meant a lot and I made sure to do the same for my DD.
Which I guess sums up my approach. My children are my children and my role as GP is primarily to support them. In the process I've developed a lovely relationship with DGC in their own right, naturally.

Lifebeganat50 · 24/07/2025 08:51

What was really lovely was we were the first to now, she and her partner came to see us before visiting her partner’s parents, so I feel very privileged for that

OP posts:
VickyEadieofThigh · 24/07/2025 08:49

I don't have children but have read a lot on here about issues between grandparents and their children/grandchildren. I also had a quite distant relationship with my mother.

I'm going to say "well done" for seeking advice on this, because I've seen so many threads about GP over-stepping OR not being interested enough (apparently)!

BoredZelda · 24/07/2025 08:47

Ask her what she needs from you and give it, no questions asked.

Lifebeganat50 · 24/07/2025 08:44

Eleanorlock · 24/07/2025 08:11

Ok so deal with repairing the core of the relationship between you and your daughter first before anything else

Thank you, we’re well on the way, with things getting better all the time over the last couple of years -we see each other a couple of times a week and share a lot more than when she was in her teens so we’re on the right road.
@morepickles I completely get what you’re saying about it not just being about being pregnant and the actual baby, and this is precisely the balance I want to hit-thank you

OP posts:
morepickles · 24/07/2025 08:26

Eleanorlock · 24/07/2025 08:11

Ok so deal with repairing the core of the relationship between you and your daughter first before anything else

This - a few people who had not been particularly close to us beforehand (their choice) suddenly wanted a very involved relationship when DC came along. We were perfectly happy for them to have a relationship with DC but it's very difficult to go from visits/interactions once in a blue moon to the expected much closer contact. Also quite offensive - the implication is that you weren't worth the effort before DC.

Really try to make sure you have as solid a relationship as possible with the couple and show you are there for them, not just the baby, and it's likely to all be much smoother.

Ponoka7 · 24/07/2025 08:20

Don't take full advice on here. I applied what I was reading and my DD told me that she didn't understand why I was being distant.
Ask about her, not just the pregnancy.

I can't stand pregnancy symptoms being minimised, the woman is growing a whole new human, that's tiring.
Give support as a couple.
Decide what, if any financial help you are going to give. My Mum bought the pram system for my DD's first, but my DD chose it. I bought the second pram and both times gave gift vouchers for Next and Asda. Don't give with strings attached.
Just listen, give opinions when asked.
She needs to feel supported, don't commit to anything you might not be able to do.
Keep the pregnancy about her, not just the baby coming, or, as said, women can feel like incubators.
Respect their rules and boundaries. Unless something is dangerous, or your DD is being badly treated, don't give unasked for opinions, or negative feedback.

Dolphinnoises · 24/07/2025 08:12

Find moments to praise her. I found when I was a mum everyone was full of helpful advice but no one ever said how well I was doing or said anything positive at all really. They weren’t being unpleasant and I was doing fine - they were all just desperate to share their knowledge and lost sight of how it would feel to have nothing but a slew of constant suggestions

Eleanorlock · 24/07/2025 08:11

Lifebeganat50 · 24/07/2025 08:08

@Eleanorlock its not bad, we’re not desperately close, although I wish we were closer-I’ve made mistakes in the past which I’ve acknowledged and we’re building things well…I just want to get the balance right

Ok so deal with repairing the core of the relationship between you and your daughter first before anything else

Lifebeganat50 · 24/07/2025 08:10

Squishymallows · 24/07/2025 08:06

Expect parenting advice to have changed eg sleeping on back vs front. No water to newborns. Paced bottle feeding.

dont give unsolicited advice - they will come to you if they want help

Thank you, I’ll check current advice, it was “back to sleep” when I had my kids (late 1990s) but it’s a good idea to check other things too

OP posts:
Lifebeganat50 · 24/07/2025 08:08

@Eleanorlock its not bad, we’re not desperately close, although I wish we were closer-I’ve made mistakes in the past which I’ve acknowledged and we’re building things well…I just want to get the balance right

OP posts:
Squishymallows · 24/07/2025 08:06

Expect parenting advice to have changed eg sleeping on back vs front. No water to newborns. Paced bottle feeding.

dont give unsolicited advice - they will come to you if they want help

Eleanorlock · 24/07/2025 08:05

What is your relationship like?