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Missing the grandchildren due to lockdown

Lots of us are missing our grandchildren especially if you contribute to their care


However, there is another side to this - our usually working sons and daughters have a newfound respect for us and would rather be at work


Possibly a generalisation but my daughter now realises that my 10 years at home was not the easy option but following in my own Mother's footsteps it was the right thing to do for our family.


Created By on 08/04/2020

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BrianJ258
21st Feb 2021 13:10:26 (Last activity: 21st Feb 2021 13:47:02)
0
Thanks for voting!
What actually constitutes a grandchild , I have a son with 5 children from 2 marriages but have two girls who are the biological granddaughters of a lady I went out with for a while after my divorce and I have to admit that I have more in common with the latter two because I had more to do with them when they were growing up. I love them all equally and simply consider them grandchildren. I don't know if that makes sense but it does to me.
Response from Sally - Silversurfer's Editor made on 21st Feb 2021 13:47:02
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Dani
14th Aug 2020 08:18:54
0
Thanks for voting!
My son has shared the care of his two young children with his ex, during this whole lockdown/ summer holiday period. He currently lives with me so, whilst he’s been working, I’ll have the children.
I’ve done the full home schooling/ creative/ outside play thing. Pretty exhausting but on the whole successful.There have been many challenges and I’ve tried to give them the same attention and fun as I gave my own five, and by bedtime I’ve been shattered, albeit happily so.
It has made me realise why we don’t have babies in our sixties!
ShelaghW1
25th Apr 2020 07:49:47 (Last activity: 5th Jun 2020 11:54:36)
0
Thanks for voting!
I think it's good that many parents are getting time to be with their children and not miss out on the funny little daily incidents that would pass them by in the old busy life. Having said that I do miss my time with my granddaughter (4 days a week normally ) We do Skype chat very regularly and she keeps me up to date with all that's going on.
The thing I didn't expect was entertaining the Singaporean grandchildren while Daddy makes important phone calls. That's a whole new level of technological experience
Response from Sally - Silversurfer's Editor made on 25th Apr 2020 07:51:24
Hi ShelaghW1,

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Response from Helen Ellis made on 5th Jun 2020 02:12:56
Hi Shelagh,
Loved your story. Guess you are a distance grandparent? Me too. Three of our four kids and 5 of our six grandchildren are spread across Edinburgh, Oxford, London, Chicago and Atlanta. I live in New Zealand. My craziest distance babysitting occasion was when my toddler grandson was sat on the potty outside on the deck and I read him a story on a propped up iPhone (which amazingly he did not mess with). It was a 'red-letter day' for distance grandparenting when he produced the goods. My daughter was delighted.
Response from Sally - Silversurfer's Editor made on 5th Jun 2020 08:04:04 > @Helen Ellis
Hi Helen Ellis,

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Response from ShelaghW1 made on 5th Jun 2020 11:54:36 > @Helen Ellis
Hi Helen, not had that experience yet thankfully, at least you didn't have to do the clean up! We were treated to a visit to the Singaporean den the other day, very privileged as Mum & Dad were to big, advantaget of the I pad. Have you managed to see any of the grandchildren since the restrictions have been eased, we had a suitably distanced 4th birthday party yesterday, it was great
Mabel06
8th Apr 2020 14:35:30 (Last activity: 13th Apr 2020 10:03:09)
0
Thanks for voting!
You are so right Carnflower, people in general don't have a clue how hard it is to stay at home and look after children. Going out to work is certainly the easier option. Perhaps now the penny has dropped!
Response from Carnflower Original Poster made on 12th Apr 2020 10:00:18
Hello Mabel
Seems it only 2 of us that feel like this.Maybe others are like my daughter's Mother in Law she left her job in a jewelers to childmind her 1st grandchild now they have 6 Five of which they look after on a regular basis but her husband is retired now so helps out.
My youngest ones are due to start nursery in January so it will.be care for short periods at the beginning and end of the day.
Response from Dolly5 made on 12th Apr 2020 12:03:20
Hello ladies, you are not alone there will be thousands of us. I have my 4 year old grandson for a couple of hours per week but also see him during the week. I am so missing him and would love to give him a cuddle. I wear two hearing aids which is not ideal for face timing as I don't hear everything particularly when there is background noise. Have a good day and stay safe.
Response from Carnflower Original Poster made on 12th Apr 2020 15:30:51 > @Dolly5
Hi Dolly Well done for doing face time. I'm.hopeless with tech but at least I.can see my granddaughter's at a distance they brought.me daffs today but I haven't seen my.granddoms for nearly a month as they live further away
Response from Dolly5 made on 12th Apr 2020 15:58:57 > @Carnflower
Hello Carnflower, I do empathise with you not able to see your grandsons. Let's hope it's not too far away that we can get back to our normal lives. Carnflower I know how to facetime (it has to be easy if I can do it, lol) not that it's any use as I am often asking the family to repeat what they have said. I become quite anxious before I phone so I prefer to send pictures and text the family. You can bet your granddaughter was pleased to see you.
Response from Carnflower Original Poster made on 13th Apr 2020 10:03:09 > @Dolly5
Hi Dolly
I appreciate your post let's hope we appreciate our grandchildren equally when this is over until. they start to wind is up again.My snack shelf has never stayed so well stocked for so long.The teddy bear crisps are good not so.keen on rice cakes though.

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