How can I quietly entertain my daughter at my Dads house ?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, I go to visit my Dad every Sunday with my nearly 4 year old daughter. I have to bring some toys to keep her entertained, but he dosn't like toys that make any noise at all. He'll put cartoons on for her but as soon as she looks away from the telly, he turns it off saying she's not watching it.
She gets so bored and just starts attention seeking and whining. I bring colouring books, but she's fed up with that after about 10 mins. I would like to chat to my Dad while she amused herself with something, but I'm not sure what.
Do you have any ideas of toys to entertain her at Grandads? She toop her beloved rain stick today, as it isn't that noisy, but he took it away. He said to me "you know I don't like noisy toys". I think he expects her to just sit there like a china doll, she has a lot of spirit though and loves to have fun. I think he's a bit unreasonable to be honest but hey ho, he was always very strict with us as children too. So I'd be really greatfull if anyone could sugest some quiet toys that will entertain her and stop her being bored out of her mind.

TBH though the potty training comment is standard Grandparent remark #3058, they must get it in their how to be an annoying GP handbook.

My Dad, who is 75 so has a reasonable excuse for being a somewhat cantankerous old soul, is constantly on my case about potty training DS since he has been 2.5. All fine and well but I am absolutely sure when I was a child he had no involvement in any aspect of it despite the fact my mum worked more or less f/t as well as doing all the housework. Anyway I digress, slightly sore topic as you can tell....

Maybe you just need to ignore your Dad slightly more. Not treat everything he says as gospel. Laugh at him when he makes his remarks about noisy toys, or pretend to look for your DDs volume switch.

It sounds like he genuinely wants to have a loving relationship with her and your DD obviously enjoys his company too, so maybe take her less frequently and encourage him to have more realistic expectations about her behaviour. Perhaps if he only sees her once a month it would be less of an issue if she makes a bit of noise.

Thank you. My Husband works on sundays, so he can't come with me. It's better when my brother is there, as he chats to Lucy and helps entertain her.

He likes to slip remarks such as " you were potty trained at two, your mother wouldn't stand any nonsence". I say every child is different.
he's sugested taking her to the doctors as he thinks she'll still be in pull ups at school.

I'm going to bed now, just to let you know. I don't want you to think I'm ignoring your comments. Thanks everyone. Good night xx

Why not get her a little wooden train set that Grandad can help her set up or cars or something grandad will like and then she can play with or Creatiles are great as involve a bit of help and then lots of imaginative play?

I think the best thing to do is arrange to go next Sunday but tell him that you will just drop her off and be back in an hour. He will have to cope alone and get to know her! He is very young for a grandfather and yet he is behaving as if he is over 80!

more at 48. That's dh's age! And his Mum is coping a lot better at 82.

I was going to mutter something about making concessions to the elderly- but I'm not that far off 48 myself, so somehow don't feel like going down that path.

He was only 20 when I was born, he's always been the same though. He finds so many things irritating.
He's always having a go at the kids in the street for playing foot ball outside his house every weekend. He says they keep coming on to his garden to get their ball.