General Chat

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

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

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

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

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.

*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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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"..........

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;-))

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...:-))))))))))))

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

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..