Love babysitting those grandkids!
@1creekgirl (44560)
United States
July 21, 2017 12:22pm CST
Do your kids take advantage of you?
I'm thankful to be able to say that ours usually never do. We have two grown children and five grandkids, but we all learned early on to be respectful of each other.
I've never been able to understand grandparents who resent being asked to babysit, or as I heard one grandmother say, "I raised my children. They can raise theirs."
My husband and I have always wanted the chance to have our grandkids here as much as possible.
I told our kids from an early age, "You can always ask and we can always say no." That way they didn't feel bad asking if we could babysit since they knew we would tell them if we couldn't.
It has worked really well over the years. The kids are respectful of us and we have loved every minute we've had with all our babies!
I just wish they all lived closer.
What are your views on babysitting the grands?
8 people like this
9 responses
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
21 Jul 17
I don't have kids, my husband had two grown kids when we met so there was never a relationship there. Still not with one we don't talk to at all. The other one has two kids, we met the first one 4 years ago - they know we are not driving back to NJ so if they want to they are welcome here. Even if we lived in NJ we would probably not be vrry involved with the grand kids.
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
21 Jul 17
@1creekgirl They sure are. I never had the desire to have kids and I am a person who really enjoys being around them.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
21 Jul 17
All families and relationships are different, that's for sure.
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
21 Jul 17
I have not been blessed with grand children Vicki so no my son is not taking advantage of me anyway haha
Glad you are enjoying yours.
Glad you are enjoying yours.2 people like this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
21 Jul 17
Maybe one day you'll get to be a grandma, Tiara. I bet you'll be a good one.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
21 Jul 17
i sat'n my eldest fer the 1st 2 years 'f her life coz they couldn't afford a sitter. i loved e'ery moment 'f such 'til they got snarky. the son-in-law disliked that she t'weren't perfectly clean 'n groomed when they decided to come'n fetch her. i'd cattle/horses to tend 's such 'twas my livelihood 'n strapped her'n e'ery day. caused lots 'f troubles....
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
23 Jul 17
@1creekgirl she did 'n we'd a grand time together. i miss those times...
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
23 Jul 17
I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure your granddaughter received more important experiences than being perfectly clean every moment.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
23 Jul 17
You're right, there's a special bond between grandparents and grandkids.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
24 Jul 17
We live on a large farm in the country and we always told our kids and grandkids they could have several acres to build a house, but you know how most kids want to move out on their own.
One son and grandkid live about an hour away, so that's not bad, but the others live 2, 3, 5, and 12 hours away. But it could be worse. I know you'd love for yours to be closer too.
1 person likes this
@HazySue (39265)
• Gouverneur, New York
25 Jul 17
@1creekgirl it's true kids to want to get out on their own. With my girls, two are living so far away because of their husband and one is because of her job.
@BloggerDi (3121)
• United States
21 Sep 17
Hi Vicki,
I so enjoy my grands! I try to babysit them anytime I'm asked, (usually a couple times a week). The number of hours each time varies. Three girls under age 5, between my two kids.
Like you, I told my kids long before they had babies, that I'd love spending time with them! But I told them that I preferred them to ask at least a day in advance; not to assume that I would be available 24/7 to watch their kids.
They have been very respectful so far!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
21 Sep 17
I can tell you enjoy your grands like I do! It really does work well when the parents respect us and we get the blessing of being with the little ones.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
21 Jul 17
I can't imagine even thinking I raised my kids they can raise theirs, we have 10 grandkids and now only two are young enough to need sitting and we loved being asked, we even ask to be asked lol Love those kids.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
21 Jul 17
I know what you mean. We always wanted them here as much as possible.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97990)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Jul 17
No grands around to babysit but if my hubby's son and family didn't live in the UK I would enjoy babysitting their daughter who is two. How old are your grandkids?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
21 Jul 17
Ours are 27, 23, 14, 8, and 2. We see the 14 year old often, although it's not babysitting at this point! The 8 and 2 year olds live 5 and 3 hours away, so we'd love to be able to keep them more often. I know you'd love to see your grandbaby more often too.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91076)
• United States
21 Jul 17
I'm happy to spend as much time with my grandchildren as I can. They grow up so fast that I want to enjoy every possible moment. Like you my children are respectful when they ask me to babysit but it's rare that I say no.
1 person likes this
