What’s being a grandma like?

[Pinkwellies81]

How involved are you with your grandkids & how do you feel about being a grandma?

It's going to be different for every person

• if the grandparents are at work or retired
• if they are local
• how old the child is
• what the relationship with their ds / dd is like before the grandchild
• what the relationship with the ds / dd's partner is like before the child
• if the grandparent likes being around babies / then toddlers / then young dc

I’ve been a grandma for 15 days now, so I’m happy to give you the benefit of my vast experience, @Pinkwellies81 !

Ds1 and his dw live 400+ miles from us, so visiting them is a trek, and does involve planning - but it was worth every long, hot mile to cuddle our gorgeous granddaughter last week.

We know we won’t be able to be involved, on a practical day to day basis, but digital cameras, phones and the internet mean we can stay in touch with them, and see lots of pictures of them all - without imposing on them, I hope. It’s easy for us to send a text or WhatsApp message, and they can answer when it suits them.

What's being a mum like?

How can anyone do anything other than tell you what it's like for them, how does that help?

I’ve been a grandma for 6 weeks now and again on Friday to DGC2.

so far, it’s lovely! We looked after DGC1 whilst they went out, and we were terrified but we managed and it was good.

the babies are absolutely beautiful and I love them already

I had a long career working with young children and was thrilled when my first DGC was born soon after I retired. My DD had bad PND and I was so pleased to be able to offer practical help. I went on to do two days' a week childcare when she returned to work and have continued to do so when her DS was born. My DS now also has DC and I do the same for them. We often get invited to join them for social activities at the weekend too and I feel privileged to be so involved in their lives.

Just to clarify, what I mean is what’s being a grandma like for you personally. Obviously it will be different for everyone

I don't especially like the idea of being a grandmother - am I really as old as that?
But I adore my grandchildren. I see more of one of them as she lives locally but see the others several times a year.
They keep me young but I wish I were more active, they are very energetic.

To be completely overwhelmed by the immediate rush of pure love I felt when first holding my grandchild hours after their birth . We are lucky enough to see them regularly and we thoroughly enjoy sharing their life while helping their parents with childcare.

Bloody fabulous.

I don't do it but when anyone of my friends gets congratulated on sm for becoming a GP, someone else will pop up with ' welcome to the best club in the world '

I loved my gp's, my children loved theirs, and my GCS love me and their other GPS.

I never understand when GPS won't/don't want to look after their GCS (not when working etc)

I'll have mine any time I can.

If it's anything like my sisters, it will turn you into a complete bore - especially if you have grandsons 🙂

It's amazing. Obviously bringing my own children up I was working and running the house etc. it was hard work but great. Passed too quickly.

Now I have grandchildren it's like seeing mine grow up all over again but just the best bits lol.

I love it. She's 7 and is so lovely ; funny, kind, talented, bags of energy and she keeps us young. We are really lucky in that we see her at least 4 times a week and she often sleeps over. This Saturday, she's staying over. Grandad is working so it's just us two. We'll bake, paint, probably build a den with cushions, we may watch a film or dance / sing. I'm excited!!

I see one set of gc a lot, I do the school run with the eldest and look after the baby all day. I looked after the eldest one 2 days a week from 3 months old, and I have a very close relationship with them. The other set I see less but I have them in the school holidays while their mum works, sometimes with the other older grandchild. They all love coming here and they all get on so well.

@forlornlorna1 , your 2nd paragraph sums it up!