The shape of my day has changed, which means that for the next few days I may be late in replying to comments and visiting blogs.
We now have two of our grandchildren here for an hour on school mornings. They are not difficult children, but it does mean that we now have to rearrange our morning, ready for the 7.15am visitors...
Then we do it all again when the school bus returns and drops them off. Teatime, playtime and hand them over sometime between 5.30-6.00pm.
I struggle a little with having almost four hours of each day 'spoken for', but I will adapt!
As lovely as the change will be it will take a little time to adapt but in the meantime you will have a lovely time with the little people.
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Hello Mitzi, The main trouble is that we both tire so much more easily these days - and this is a particularly busy year. We'll cope, and have fun at the same time.
DeleteSince you recently had to care for 4 children, for awhile, on a day..... I figure something unplanned happened then. And now, you have to help out, daily. Hope whatever happened, was not too bad, and they will be able to resume their usual life, soon. And you will too!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is nooooo fun, having our time, _not_ be our time. And there is no guilt in that! We are older. We have our own set routines. And we are perfectly entitled, to do so.
And contrary to what some "grand-less" people may assume, all time with them, is not necessarily, a jolly round of enjoyment. Children are children. We had our own, when we were younger. We aren't as young now, and it's a different matter. Anyone who thinks it's allllllllll lovely, has never had to care for "grands," on any prolonged basis.
Wondering how many "grands" live nearby? You often mention 2. But this is more.
Hello Luna, These two grandchildren live just across the garden, their parents are teachers - they work in two different schools, about 30/40 minutes drive away from here. Previously they had the children booked into a breakfast club, but that has ended now. That just leaves us to step into the breach.
DeleteToday has gone well, one parent has come home early (very unusual!!) so we are free for the rest of the day. We will be anticipating those school holidays as eagerly as teachers and students. ;)
You are right, looking after them isn't the problem, it is my loss of freedom, but I'll get over it and adapt to the new regime.
We have four grandchildren, these two and two who are London sparrows!
With child cares being what they are I'm sure what you are doing for your grandchildren is helping the parents budget. Is this short term or until they get old enough to stay by themselves? Our youngest granddaughter is close by and we committed to being with her on Fridays but then other things intrude like my getting a cold or we are traveling. So the commitment of time is not a given each week. They are paying a home child care provider for the week any way so Ida can go there on Fridays if need be.
ReplyDeleteHello Marcia, These two are 6 and almost 10, they live just across the garden, so they are used to coming in and out of this place whenever they want. I truly don't mind looking after them and doing the meals, etc it is the loss of my freedom which is hurting at the moment. All will be well. It is the loss of a breakfast club service which has caused this, it will be a permanent shift into our care now that the move has been made. At least the parents are teachers, so they generally have the same amount of holiday time off as the grandchildren.
DeletePermanent.
Delete-sigh-
Ouch....
Good luck with the changes to your day. I’m sure you will adapt fairly quickly to the different rhythm of your day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catherine. I'm sure you are right. Yesterday went well.
DeleteIt’s hard to adapt as we grow older... we get into our lovely routines... and .. children do seem to alter our space (ha ha) ... BUT .. Oh the havoc and sense of JOY that we are left with by the end of the day ... How lucky you are to have them living so close... Soon you will wonder whatever you did without them ( ha ha) ..especially when they’re mischievous.... AND ..They say that children keep you young ( hee hee)
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