Why Is It Assumed We Would Relish Baby Sitting The Grand Kids Every Spare Minute?

[dave50]

Now grand children have come along, why is it assumed that we must want to see them and baby sit every spare moment and if we don't then we somehow don't care about them?
We still work full time and have a full active social life, we are not ready nor do we have the time to be on standby for baby sitting duties 24/7. We dont object now and again but while we are still working then it's strictly a limited service. What do others think?

[Smowball]

It's certainly a tough one.

[mazie]

It is if you're still working and have an active social live as well. I'd have a word and explain dave.

[Cloverjo]

No, you shouldn't, Dave. When I was a single mother my mum said she wouldn't look after my child full-time when I went to work. I don't blame her. She and my dad had him every Saturday to help me out as I was skint, and otherwise I'd be paying the childminder more half of what I was earning.

Dave, you have your life to live. Tell your daughter/son you have plans, whenever they ask you to babysit, although you're glad to see them always. As others have said, you've done your bit,

[DaisyNonna]

I now occasionally keep company with my younger grandchildren rather than
This is because I enjoy being with them
Never felt I had to be available to babysit when they were much younger
Who are preferred? Mother's parent(s) or father's parent(s)
Usually whoever can drive home

[dave50]

Thank you for all your support. I was getting paranoid that we were somehow selfish grandparents! Glad to know that we are not.