General Chat

Is it just me or is it more Nation-Wide when I start thinking that Grandparents and Gt Grandparents are quickly becoming glorified child-minders. All you hear is 'Can you take the kids for school tomorrow morning"? - "Can you pick the bairn up this afternoon from school"? - "Can you look after the youngsters for a couple of hours"? - The wife and I had just arranged to have a quiet night out tomorrow night, just the two of us. No sooner arranged than the phone rings - "Can so-and-so sleep at yours tomorrow night, we've arranged to go out for a meal with so-and-so"...I love my kids, and grandkids and great grand kids, and I wouldn;t change any of them.. But I must admit you do get a little peeeed off now and then.. Anyway, that's my 'moan for the day', has anyone else got a moan or am I the only miserable so-and-so on this site today...It's probably the warm weather starting to take effect... John..

Same here John, I am afraid I had to say no to my daughter one Friday night.......OH has a stressful job and needs to unwind when he gets home, not dash off his tea and go babysitting......he often starts to fall asleeep at 8.30.......and now we know why, he has just been diagnosed with diabetes.....

.....but don't you feel awful when you have to say no to them.......we want some time for us now, we already have MiL and 3 married children with grandchildren calling on our attention.....if it isn't babysitting, its DIY, because Dad is good at everything...... still I mustn't complain, it is lovely to have our family......just wish we had a bit more stamina......x

Hello John

I am not a Grandmother yet...( far to young )...however my OH has already warned me...of the word NO......we have brought our family up ...so say NO....my BIL is a retired police officer and that is all he and his OH do ......they have to plan and arrange holidays, appointments round their grandchildren and to be honest he looks shattered... is it natures way to say your too old to have children or look after them and thats why the birth process stops at a certain age ?

I now await to be slated by all the grandparents who adore minding their off springs soff springs...:-))))))))))))

Hi John,If you have made arrangements they should respect that,but I do understand,you then start feeling guilty.
I live In Spain,so I dont have that problemlol;-))

Whole-heartedly agree Sally. For all the 'moans' when they come barging and laughing into the house, you say to yourself - "Aw what the hell arn't they just great"..........

Roxanne - there's many a time I wish I lived in Spain.
John....

Haley, you're right - It's just that I don't know which hurts the most - "NO" or "ALRIGHT".... John

Hi John,
I think it's becoming the 'norm' today.....The thing is..where are they when we need some help??
I tend to agree with Hayley on this one we have brought ours up. I love my Children and Grandchildren dearly but I have my limits as to what I can do for them.
Take care xxx

Both my sisters are Nana'sand we have friends who are as well....and I remember one bank holiday a couple of years a go.......our dayout couldnt happen as they all had to mind granchildren....so their parents could work for the double time.......of course its going to be hard to say NO as we all want to help our children in life.......but I thought it was very me me me me......what about the grandparents enjoying thier day ?

Posh I agree....and John it must be so hard to say NO..lol

Ooo...same here John, only mine live with me which makes things worse as its always.....we're just going to the shop can you watch them?
Just popping here, there and everywhere..........errr.......what about me, I DO have a life!!!

Can be so inconsiderate sometimes.

*Shock horror* I have to agree with Hayley lol

John if you'd already made arrangements to go out you should have said no and your son/daughter should have asked you if you were available before making arrangements. There's nothing wrong with helping your children by minding the grand children once in a while, or, if you're happy to do it, dropping them off/picking them up from school, perhaps once or twice a week but it's also okay to say no because you are busy or have already made your own arrangements to go somewhere.

I don't have grandchildren but when I do, although I'll be happy to help out by minding them occasionally, I will also have my own life to lead.

How very true Jen, but next weekend, we're off to the sea-side, just the wife and me. I've got me knotted handkerchief to put on me ed.

I have a nice policy.......dont make your social arrangements &say yes without first making sure I will be avalible,,,,,,,,,it works,,


anything of an emergency that is totally a different thing

....and don't forget the grey socks pulled up the calf and the leather sandals John.......

sandles must be brown.....and your shirt sleeves rolled up....

Thanks for reminding me Sally - I'm getting really excited now...john.

What about the shorts Hayley ? If I can get all those things, that's the wife sorted out !!! Now me.. John,

pmsl John, what a picture!

I long for grandchildren but I do think people need to think a bit more, so many of them take it for granted you will drop everything to help but when the boot is on the other foot, tis so different. I see it with my o.h's family, they are always asking him to help but he doesn't hear from them otherwise.
People need to learn more consideration and courtesy, and not take others so much for granted so I think it is down to us, to teach the younger ones to stop and think before arranging things and just expecting grandparents etc to step in and hold the fort. Of course it is different in emergencies, but otherwise, the word is No. Not a word used much these days sadly, to the detriment of everyone I think.
Lizx

Better still- long woollen pants, rolled up with your trousers and knotted hanky on head.

Saw this many years ago,(1965) of all places Cattolica, Italy. not cold old UK. A family from London,and there was Grandad, thick woollen long johns, rolled up with his trousers having a paddle. Grandma was in a swim suite though, not her skirt tucked into her bloomers.
Temperatures were well into 20's.

What a giggle.

I'd love the opportunity to even say no to looking after my Grandaughters. Trouble is they live too far away so I am not a choice of babysitter here.

That said, if I were living closer to them, I would hope my kids wouldn't take it for granted that I will be there whenever they want to go out and respect the fact that I have a life of my own too.