Grandbaby

[jennyjoan]

Could you look after an 8 month baby at 66 years old for two days a week. A friend of mine is now doing it but called round this morning and he is adorable but I couldn't do the lifting and changing *** at that age - I know it is too much for her but she will never complain no way hosay.

[jennyjoan]

no matter how well you dress you can't get bums in

[maggiebee]

My friend's daughter had triplets 5 years ago and my friend has them three full days per week. My friend is now 72 and at times looks absolutely exhausted. The kids are going to school this year but rather than make things better, she will now have them 5 days per week after school and probably school holidays as well. I think her daughter is a lazy b**ch but don't interfere.

[Mamyalynne]

I haven't made 66 yet - but at almost 62, yes, no problem.

[jennyjoan]

I do think some daughters tear the whole out of it - I really do.

[jennyjoan]

Good for you Mamy - i think to be able to be able to do it you do have to be well but my friend looks exhausted tbh.

[Mamyalynne]

That's sad, she should tell her Daughter how she feels - personally the moment each one was born I began my kidnapping plans. lol

That's just me.

[jourdain2]

I'll be 66 later this year - I'd find it very difficult. If it's 'needs must' then you do it, but it would take a big physical toll on me (bad back). Younger daughter put in an emergency phone-call to care for 4 -yr-old who had suddenly gone ill and I did it fairly happily, but it meant getting up at 6 and driving round thickening traffic around York to get there by 8 a.m. Loved the time spent with Phoebs, but was k-n-a-c-k-e-r-e-d by the end of the day!

[Sycamore3House]

My niece was born when my Mother was 68 years old (6 months after my mum she had a stroke). I used to think my brother and wife took advantage of her when they asked for free child care. But it is my nieces 10th birthday next week and she is still being looked after by my Mother in having sleepovers, taking and picking up from school etc. I believe it is what keeps my Mother going. She does get tired but my Mum still loves being wanted.

[chrissa1]

I have my two year old granddaughter 2 days a week and I'm 64. I'm always tired those evenings but wouldn't change it for the world. I love coming downstairs on my derrière !!!!

[mazie]

I'm 66 and love it when we have the kids. We have 3 of them in the Summer for 3 weeks and it's magic. Moving to Edinburgh end of this month so hopefully we can help out a bit more. Not sure about an 8 month old baby though conne.

[woofgang]

Has she said its too much for her? I wouldn't want to do it either but I am not her and neither are you.

[jennyjoan]

no I never said she couldn't wouldn't - but her last grandson last now 11 and she always said enough at 56 and never ever at 66 - but loves this daughter very much - loves all her kids but this one has a special bond with her and by jausus hasn't givn't all kids kabosh/troule anyway enough said - i've said today and that it's over - the way I look at I am not looking after them at all. thanks to be God.

[Cloverjo]

My parents helped out with childcare one day a week when my son was tiny. I paid a childminder for the other days I needed help. My parents were in their 50s then. I think it would have been too much for them once they were into their 60s to ask them to do even that one day.
It's great that some people here love having their grandkids, but you should be able to enjoy your retirement and not feel obliged to babysit, especially as much as maggiebee' friend.

[Peaspeculiars]

My mum gave up work when she had me and my sister until we went to school. We had very little money growing up and had to have hand me downs & didn't have the luxuries kids have these days.
If I ever have kids, I intend to do the same thing - give up work and make sacrifices - too many of my friends have kids and stick them straight into nurseries as babies so that they can continue their career, and to cut costs on the childcare, pass them off to grandparents for a couple of days a week too. I just don't see the point in having kids if your not going to spend the time looking after them IMO.
My parents are 65/ 66 respectively and I wouldn't expect them to look after my children for me on a regular basis - they would be exhausted and it's not their 'job' to do so - it's expected more and more these days for grandparents to take on the role of part-time childcare assistants and it doesn't sit well with me, especially if they are struggling to cope with it.
I hope your friend enjoys it, I really do, but if she is finding it difficult, she must speak up and ask the parents to take back the responsibility - they are their children after all!

[ummmm]

My mum is quite young (61) and I was raised between my parents and grandparents. My mum didn't need my nan to look after us we just got to choose who we stayed with.

My mum was a brilliant mum, my nan was a brilliant nan (still is)

JJ....like I said, my mum is 61, she's probably fitter than me. She certainly dresses much trendier than me :-)