To have 83 year old babysit for from morning to lunchtime?

[Bloopsie]

Hello all, MIL is happy to babysit 9,7,5 and a 2 year old for half a day when I an at the hospital and my husband would come along. She is mentally well,physucally quite fit minus arthritis but very active goes 3x a week to social club,carries her own shopping home,dosent use any walking aids etc. Is this fine plan or should we be looking to hire a child
minder?

My mom is a couple years behind her but lives on a rural property and is out chcainsawing trees and dragging logs and felled trees around the property. Good ol spring clean up!

She would watch a herd of young children and they would be the ones exhasuted when they left!

Completely depends on the person, not the age.

Absolutley fine (assuming the only one who'll be a real handful is the 2 year old) my 78 year old single Mum voluntarily babysits my 2 year old semi regularly and for up to 6hrs at a time including making lunch and he can be a handful at times too.

It all really depends on the individual, my Dad was frail before his time and looked and acted 80 before 70, my Mum could easily pass for someone in her 60s especially with how active she is.

If she’s of sound mind and thinks she can do it, I say let her. I think people can infantilise the elderly but some of them have more energy than some younger people, for all kinds of reasons. Some 80 year olds are amazing.

She sounds fine to watch them for a few hours. It's a one off and I bet she's secretly looking forward to it.

I might split the kids. Leave with gran the 2 she would most enjoy or find easiest.

I must be weedy or something but I wouldn't be secretly keen to look after four kids!

I mean, if an able 83 year old can't be left in charge of a few children for a few hours then the world is in trouble because an 80 year old is in charge of the button that can destroy the end.

I'm 52 with grandkids that age and need a lie down in a dark room after spending time with them - they're exhausting.

My Dad is 83, he shops, cooks, cleans, drives us around and babysits when I visit for 2-3 weeks at a time.

I think in your home is ok. As long as she is allowed to stick on some cartoons and rest on the sofa when it all gets too much! I’d have plenty of snacks and be prepared to bribe the older two to be on their best behaviour and entertain the younger two!

I'd say it totally depends on the kids. can the older ones be persuaded/bribed to behave themselves and help with younger ones. No fighting? I didn't leave my DD with my grandma when she was that age even though she was probably very capable but do now they are both older (grandma is 93 and much less capable and DD is 11) because DD is sensible and can help her great grandma knows what to do in an emergency etc.

My mums the same - loves them more than anything in the world but loves the peace once we've left😆

It totally depends on kids and your MIL.
It will be in your house for a few hours. You’ve planned snacks , drinks, food, clothes , activities. She is willing to do it. It seems you’ve got all covered.

Doesn’t depend how fit and well she is?
My DP’s are that age and would be fine.
Snacks, tv, crafts and they will be fine.

My best friend is 82. He babysits me regularly. I forget his age because we go out drinking together go for trips out together.

I would certainly trust him to look after children that age. (As a one off !)

Sounds absolutely fine. Trust your instincts.

Yeah i would

Surely 9 y/o will help with the younger kids

I think it depends on what the kids are like. If they are quiet and get on well, then that's one thing, but if they are boisterous and enjoy fighting each other then that's completely different.

It's fine.

If everything was the same but she was 73 or 63 would you be asking this question?
Age is just a number, it wouldn't factor in to who I left my kids with
If she's capable and happy to do it surely she knows her limits

Uh no going to the park, that would be too much :) we got lots of things to do in our own garden too if weather is nice playhouses,mud kitchens, monkey bars,large trampoline and a small one for the toddler,swings for each child,sandbox,see saw,garden toys etc. And definately no screen time restrictions on that day i think the eldest 3 would spend time playing adopt me and the toddler could use her tablet for bluey/ben and holly.

glad to see stories from other grandparents in that age who are well and active, it varies indeed so much how differently people age, another relative 83 too needs daily care with taking medications,cooking and uses a walking frame for getting around.

Why would 9, 7 and 5 not be at school?

Based on my own experience of a 2yo, I wouldn't. It's very physical and they seem to need to be picked up constantly. But your 2 yo may be different. I would think the older ones fine.

Well - if it is a short one-off then OK. She can always park them in front of the TV - not ideal, but if it covers a difficult situation then go for it.

Home ed children.