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?

She'll be fine. No doubt you will be leaving work for the older children to complete, and they will have a routine. Grandmother can concentrate on the 2 year old, until breaktime, when they can all sit together for a drink/snack then run around the garden. If you've been assiduous home teachers, your older children will be self-motivated and understand their routine. You can also talk to them about how important it is to help grandmother if she needs it.

My mum is 83 and I leave my daughter (8, very laid back and sensible) with her for a few hours at a time. She definitely couldn't cope with 4 children, or very small ones.

My old neighbour is 87 and could quite happily manage the toddler room at a nursery all by himself, although he might get a bit out of breath from running around after them.

Totally depends on MIL and her health and capabilities.

I wouldn't attempt to ask her to supervise the kids to do school work. That's a stress she doesn't need.

It won't do the kids any harm to have a day off school work.

Make life easy a chilled out morning watching telly / playing with toys.

As a one-off it sounds absolutely fine, and the older two can help if she needs things picking up or carrying about.

Not all 83 year olds are completely decrepit and incapable - and she's offered so it's not like you're forcing it on her ☺️

My nan is 82 and would be fine with this. She has regularly babysat my 3 but they are much older now.

4 is a lot!
but If it’s a one off in your own house and she is happy I’d say it’s fine.
worst case scenario she puts a film on.

Sounds absolutely fine. They will be in their own home and the older ones won’t need much looking after.
She sounds great, I hope I’m that active when I’m her age!

As a one off not a regular daily/weekly thing she will love it x
My mums not that much younger and she really looks forward to watching mine for a few hours here and there (and ones severely autistic with severe learning difficulties so is quite full on ).
I'm sure the older one will also enjoy helping if needed as my nine year old would feel quite proud of helping granny x