General Chat

I've been trawling the charity shops too, maggie. Particularly when on holiday, I don't know why but I always seem to find the bargains out of area! It's amazing what you can find and when not spending too much it doesn't matter if they lose interest quickly :-)

I like the idea of a project too :-D
I have got a 'minibeast' catcher, but after 5 minutes they're indoors again :-(
They sometimes draw what they've found (usually a woodlouse), but if they'd sit still and LOOK - I've got loads of spiders - and sloworms.
They do, however love looking at the insects in my 'bug' book!
Actually, the 7 year old sometimes writes stories, turning an insect into a 'superinsect'.
In the winter, I sometimes buy games/lego/mecanno sets from charity shops. If the boys aren't interested, I take them back - thereby donating to charity twice!! :-D

I love the idea of a walk and then catching the bus home maggie, so exciting when it's not the norm.
I bet they really look forward to those special brunches!

What a super idea you thought up Ann, I must remember that in the future. A project, with writing, drawing, painting And a camera!

I definitely put loads more effort into looking after him than I did my own. The granddaughters live at a distance so we don't get to look after them, they more entertain us with their singing and acting!

I think also that one is much more worried about keeping them out of harms way. I don't remember being quite so preoccupied about all the dangers years ago. I enjoy so much hearing his speech and cognition develop and feeling a part of that, teaching through play where I can.

It's lovely but totally exhausting <3

I do much more with my granddaughter than I did with my own children. Being retired means there is much more time to play.

Because Jess has spent so much time with me it is home from home for her, her own room and lots of toys - there will be a big clear out once she starts school!

There has been lots of building work going on at her home and I have more room for the 'big stuff', the dolls house, pram and cot, and kitchen etc. Her favourite things at the moment are books, puzzles, lego and drawing.

I have made a big effort to take her out and meet people as I don't know anyone round here with children the same age and I didn't want her spending all her time with an old woman ;-)

Mine live about 12 miles away - 20 minutes by car - an hour and a half by public transport - and I don't drive.
However, my daughter is a maternity care worker and works some weekends, so she drops them off on her way to see a client.
I don't 'over' entertain them - their mum likes to take them on 'special' outings, but they have no friends here, so I do make sure they have something to do.
When they stay over, they have sausages and bacon for breakfast. When my daughter drops them off, I used to give them sausages and bacon for lunch. They've got 'wise' to this, and now refuse breakfast at home. Instead they have sausage and bacon for brunch :-0

None of ours have ever lived close to us. We did use to have the three boys for a week in the summer holidays when they were 11 to 15. I used to set up a project for them which included writing a story, using a camera, paintinf, drawing etc plus a scavenge hunt and writing about it. They used to look forward to doing it and they all got a prize at the end. they were no trouble and we would take them out but that was ten years ago!

Do you find you entertain the grandchildren/great grandchildren more than you did your children?

Well, my grandchildren are very well trained! :-D
As soon as the boys (5 & 7) come in they sit at the table, and expect there to be paper and felt tips/crayons/pencils - and they draw!
They have access to the same at home, but, apparently, it's better at granny's :-S
If it's miserable outside, they play games on my PC.
If the weather's nice I will take them up to the play park and maybe a short (ish) walk on the downs (just along from the park). We sometimes walk into town and catch the bus back (a novelty for them), after I've got some shopping. I still haven't taken them to the moors. When we go out - they just want to get back and draw - or if I'm feeling strong - play with one of my dolls houses (I bring it downstairs) :-S :-S

Their 13 year old sister is easy. My tablet. :-D
Oh - and a packet of chocolate rice cakes.

I will have a look for those chalks, Lyndi.
The soft play centres are so good on a wet day aren't they?

You might imagine it's everything train here. Well, that and aeroplanes!

You are going to miss your little one come September but no doubt be glad of some time to catch up with everything you haven't had time to do. I hadn't done much in the home since he was expected, it was only recently I had a big de-clutter.

We collected some of those plastic farm animals for our granddaughters but never got to secure the 'farm' to a board. I've suggested to my oh that we cover a board with some green baize and put the structure together. It just kept falling apart when they played and it's hardly had much wear which is such a shame.

Our granddaughters are only a little older than your granddaughter. They enjoy everything Disney Princess, dressing up, crafts, dancing lessons etc. They were fortunate enough to have rides on a pony recently which they loved. I fear they will be into ponies soon!

Wow, lucky little lad to have the train and paddock on hand! Jess is an only but will quickly make a 'friend' if we go to a soft play!
I found Crayola Sidewalk chalk in our local Poundland; it does wear down very quickly but is very easy to wash off;-)
All that hopping is not good for grandma, but is good for number recognition for our little ones :-)

I agree Lyndi, we are blessed when they live locally and are invited to spend time with them. Our grandson starts Nursery a few days a week in September but we shall still be helping to care for him some of the days.

We sometimes go to local playgroups but I'm a bit more reluctant now the sun is shining. You are right though, it is good for them to learn to mix with other children particularly if they don't have siblings.

Our little one is very fortunate to have a ride-on railway that runs around the garden and pony paddock, Grandpa loves trains, too!

I love the idea of the hopscotch on the drive and drawing with the coloured chalks, too! :-D

Jess used to love 'gardening' lol. When she was younger I did go to the play sessions at the Sure Start Centre and the 'bounce and rhyme' sessions at the local libraries. It gave her a chance to mix with other children and gave a structure to the day, and she enjoyed the activities. As I don't drive I am restricted to how far we go.
And you are right, we wouldn't have it any other way. I think I am so lucky to have had so much time with her.
She will start school in September so things will change :-(

That sounds wonderful, Lyndi. I look forward to doing more baking. We did make some little banana/oat cakes one day which he enjoyed.

We don't have a Sea Life Centre but do have a Farm Park nearby, the pass has been really good value. It's busy in the summer holidays but during term time once a week we are there as it opens!

Our little grandson is only 23 months but enjoys nothing more than digging on the raised vegetable beds. Yesterday he had great fun putting the shallots into trays.

I agree Lyndi, by the end of the day I'm falling asleep on the sofa. We wouldn't be without them though! <3 <3 <3

I have my 4 year old granddaughter Friday and Saturday this week. Depending on the weather I like to take her out for one of the days (I have passes for the local Sea Life Centre and model village, or we go to parks) and the other day we will play in the garden, on the drive (we chalk out hop scotch or I draw round her and she puts the details on), bake, water fights, lego. I try to arrange play dates as well. When she goes home I spend the next day recovering lol.
Enjoy the rest of your day and hope you feel better soon xx

I had an interesting conversation with the grandchildren's Great-Grandmother.

Being unwell, I said, 'I don't know how I am going to entertain the little grandson today'.

My parents replied in unison, 'you don't have to entertain, you just have to child mind'!

I guess the old-fashioned thing was to put the under two's out for an airing in their large prams, complete with reins to hold them in!

We've already played with the dog in the field, learned to throw a tennis ball using a racquet, had a bowl of porridge for second breakfast, watched the children's programme, 'Something Special', read a few books, played trains and paper aeroplanes, and done two paintings, before enjoying a nap in Grandma's cot.

Also, had a success on the potty! I said, 'no shower (to get the paint off him), until you've sat on it'!

What is everybody doing with their little poppets this week? <3 <3 <3