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Original poster

Overwhelmed with love..am I weird?

55 replies

StillMedusa · 17/01/2022 00:21

For my grandson.
Honestly, I knew I'd love him, child of my child and all that, but the sheer pleasure that his existence has brought me is a real surprise!

I'm lucky enough to have my DD2 and her dh live in the same town and so I am doing child care for them as I work part time and they are both nurses, I offered because I had no help (due to distance ) when my 4 were tiny and I know how hard it can be. But I wasn't anticipating the sheer joy of it.. having a new little person who knows me, is excited to see me and spends his day happily in my company.
I feel rejuvenated ..we go to yoga together , we are going swimming, we walk the dog and pop to the shops and baby groups, and sometimes we just chill and he lives his baby life (9 months old)

I'm so grateful that his mum and dad trust me after reading so many stories on here (I run any plans past them first ) But I am still bowled over by how much I just love him, how much his smiles and arms lifted for Granny have made me feel like I still have a purpose in life in my 50s.

It's just like the love I had for mine when they were babies...only easier!

OP posts:
ScatteredMama82 · 17/01/2022 09:49

This is lovely. Your DD and her DS are so very lucky to have you. I've lost both my parents and my MIL is a toxic individual kept at arms length for all our sakes. I'd give anything to have a grandparent like you in my family.

Poundlick · 17/01/2022 09:49

his smiles and arms lifted for Granny have made me feel like I still have a purpose in life in my 50s

Look, it's lovely that you adore him and are enjoying caring for him, and yes, things have been a bit stale for a lot of people during Covid, but I'm a bit taken aback that you don't feel your life has a purpose apart from looking after your grandchild. I'm only a few years younger than you, and have never felt so challenged and purposeful.

GingerAndTheBiscuits · 17/01/2022 09:58

What I loved about seeing my parents with my own children when they were small, was that how they are with them must mirror to some degree how they were with me as a baby/child. As I can’t remember much from my own early years it’s like being able to relive some of it through their relationship.

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Remmy123 · 17/01/2022 10:49

How lovely!!

You sound like my mum .. she has looked after all 3 of mine and they have such an amazing bond .. esp with my first born son when it was just the two of them - so special!

1940s · 17/01/2022 10:52

I'm a mum and I get so much pleasure watching this exact intense bond with my mother and my daughter. So happy for you.

And for the poster who questioned OP' 'purpose' statement... all of us are challenged and feel purpose from different things. There's no wrong or right so just let OP relish in what's making her happy.

AnyFucker · 17/01/2022 10:54

I am not ashamed to say I live for my grand daughter. I have other things in my life, of course. But it all comes back to my family in the end.

Poundlick · 17/01/2022 10:55

@AnyFucker

I am not ashamed to say I live for my grand daughter. I have other things in my life, of course. But it all comes back to my family in the end.
@AnyFucker, I would possibly have rolled my eyes inwardly, at least a little, if I'd seen this from another poster, but I associate you down the years with a brusque common sense, plain speaking and lack of sentimentality, so I'm finding it weirdly touching. Grin
Annasgirl · 17/01/2022 10:57

Oh OP, what a wonderful post. My Dm was the happiest grandma ever - she adored her grandchildren and they adored her. They lived playing snakes and ladders together for hours!!! I am just sad that my youngest DS was only 3 when she died so he doesn’t have the amazing memories of her that DD and DS1 and my nieces and nephews have.

I hope you enjoy many many happy years together.

AnyFucker · 17/01/2022 10:58

That’s what I thought too, until I saw her come into the world Grin

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 17/01/2022 11:02

Ahhh this is the nicest thread I've ever read on MM, thank you OP!

And no not at all weird and I hope you and the wee man have many many wonderful adventures together!

Poundlick · 17/01/2022 11:05

@AnyFucker

That’s what I thought too, until I saw her come into the world Grin
That's very sweet!

(When I view you weighing in with some very tough love on a thread in future, I will think of your secret soft side... Grin)

Tal45 · 17/01/2022 11:09

Your post has such joy in it. Your grandson is so lucky to have so much love from you, what a wonderful relationship.

SingingSands · 17/01/2022 11:14

So lovely to read. I'll be randomly thinking of you and your grandson today and it will make me smile.

madmomma · 17/01/2022 11:15

This is beautiful and I can't wait for this stage.

TheAnswerIsDontThinkAboutIt · 17/01/2022 11:21

Argh, misting up here! This is sweet as hell. I hope I have a grandchild one day.

Pieceofpurplesky · 17/01/2022 11:33

My parents were like this with DS as a child. He's 17 now and their relationship still makes my heart sing.

BoreOfWhabylon · 17/01/2022 11:44

This is lovely!

Put me in mind of this glorious thread

Boogaloony · 17/01/2022 12:02

I became a nan to a gorgeous 11 month old and he is just a total delight. I have him for a few hours here and there and I just love him to bits! Taking him and his mum to Rome for a week in the summer so very excited to do that ❤️

Original poster
StillMedusa · 17/01/2022 12:11

Oh dear, I feel I have to qualify my words Grin
I have a great family, a reasonable job, a lovely husband and a dog who thinks I am God... but life has been wandering along for a few years since all but one of my own children ((DS2 has autism and will probably always need to live with us) are independent.

I even have hobbies :D

But having a new generation to love, to watch and help develop ; that incredible feeling of continuity and 'life going on' (especially in the face of the last two years!) is so special and such an uplift.

And like Anyfucker says...for me it DOES all come back to family. Seeing my husband come home tired and suddenly looking a bit old (he's older than me) drop his bags to bristle his grandson with his beard and get the giggles.. that's magic :)

I'm glad it seems to be a common feeling just how intense the love is.. I was beginning to think I'd lost the plot!!!!

OP posts:
GingerAndTheBiscuits · 17/01/2022 12:33

@BoreOfWhabylon

This is lovely!

Put me in mind of this glorious thread

That was absolutely lovely to read
QueenLagertha · 17/01/2022 12:46

Awww this is so lovely to read op 🥰 my parents and ILs just adore DS. He is their only grandchild. I found it a bit intense in the beginning but seeing their relationship develop has been lovely and I feel like DS is the luckiest boy in the world to have them all.
It sounds like your grandson is very lucky to have you too 🥰
I'm having another baby soon and they are all so excited.

TellySavalashairbrush · 17/01/2022 12:59

My older sisters and a colleague all say the same thing, that the love of a grandchild/grandchildren took them by surprise in its intensity.
I feel like this about my adult dd, so gawd knows what will happen if I have grandchildren too!!

Imabitbusyatthemoment · 17/01/2022 13:08

What a beautiful post. Makes me look forward to being a Gramdma… and my eldest is only 10. 😄

You sound like the most wonderful Grandma.

user1958493 · 17/01/2022 13:18

This made me so happy ❤️

Iknowacrackingowlsanctuary · 17/01/2022 13:18

Oh this brought tears to my eyes, how lovely! 🥰

I wasn't lucky enough to have grandparents growing up so to see the relationship between my DC and my parents/Ex ILs is just wonderful. Makes me sad that I never got to experience it because their bond seems so strong ❤