So, its (grand) daddy day care time again

[jackarmy]

And Nana daycare of course .

So here we go again, daughter starts work again tomorrow after maternity leave so we have our grandkids from 07:30 untill 13:30).
4( nearly) year old grandson Clayan will be taken to nursery at 9 and picked up at 11:30 and 9 month old grandaughter Bailey will be with her pops and nana untill mammy picks them up at half one.

Daughter works part time for nhs so we only have them four days ( well half days) a week and although it does tie you down a touch we wouldnt have it any other way.

So, anyway , like i said we only have them for 6 hours a day for 4 days a week which is cool, but i know there must be other grandparents out there who have theirs for longer so how do you all cope ?.

I know your all gonna say the same thing ( basically anything to help my kids ) but is there a time when you think..

Jeez i wish id stayed single

[veggiechicken]

Have fun Jack - I'm glad I chose the No-kids option

[ESBkevin]

My son and his partner are due tomorrow the 9th. I can't see them coping but I've done my best to get them set. So at some point in the future I guess I get to sit the grandson. I'm going to be harsh though because we both still work.

[jackarmy]

Good luck to them both and to you of course

[Jay22]

I sometimes wish I'd stayed single Jack...and I have no grandchildren only children!! Enjoy your time with your grandchildren though! Precious!

[bramble]

We have been doing the "grandparents helping out thing" for years now. Number 1 grandson is now an adult and comes to visit on every day off.
Number 1 and number 2 grandaughters have just entered their teenage years so more independence and longer school hours means they dont need us so much now. It also means we dont get to see them as often, so not great but necessary.
Which only leaves grandson number 2. We collect him from school once a week so we get time with him but he gets lonely as there is now nobody to play with.
I can honestly say after years of helping out, I wouldnt have missed the experirnce for the world.
When they have their holidays from school I have always made a point of having the 4 of them together.
2 of them are my sons children and 2 are my daughters. I have brought them on day trips, picnics, the zoo, the cinema, panto and santa at Christmas, the library. Had art and craft dsys with thrm whrn the weather was bad and altogether have had the most wonderful experirence as a grandparent.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Never had children but am a great-aunt to Louisa who can wrap anyone around her fingers. Number two will be due in Feb and can't wait. Having said that, I have avoided things like tantrums, food-fussiness and all the other stuff that goes along with having kids, but as a non-parent I have missed out on so many special things. Nothing can replace the gift of love and enjoyment each one brings the other.

[burnie]

Aye little treasures aren't they(occasionally), wouldn't miss our every other weekly stint though(daughters in laws do one week, we do the other) part time of course, couldn't cope with everyday lol.

[Mrs Bee]

We have our 18month granddaughter 4 days a week from 7.30 to about 6 in the evening.

Great fun but by 7pm I am ready for a double raspberry gin and bed.

It is easier in the winter months as Mr Bee is not down the allotment every day. And he is favourite 'cos little one has him on a piece of string exactly 5 cm. Mam ma is not on a piece of string and miss is different with me.

She used to go into a screaming tantrum if he went to the allotment but doesn't any more as she is realising Mam ma does lots of fun things too even if I don't let her do exactly as she wants all the time.
And she has to sit down nicely to eat.

Despite the mess , toys and general mayhem throughout the house we love it. We have playgroups and places to go everyday should we so wish and I organise making cakes, colouring, gluing and sticking and generally organise little miss and Mr Bee, batch cook everything from scratch, and use the freezer well.

It is a joy to have her and we miss her on the days she is not here. The funny things that ahe does is priceless, as is seeing her learn and develop.

Think she may follow in grandma's footsteps and be a teacher. She is starting to organise me and remind me how things need to be done.

[Martin H]

I'm looking forward to being a granddaddy for the first time in August. It's going to be fun!

[Jay22]

Congratulations Martin, that's lovely!

[jackarmy]

Yep, congrats Martin, it really is a joy ( most of the time )

[bramble]

Collecting grandaughter number 2 from school as she has a half day today.
She is 13 today and we are looking forward to spending the afternoon with her