4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Lesley]

For the first time in almost 12 years I'm redundant

 

I've looked after both grandchildren since they were a few months old - 2 days a week, then 2 days a week after school and in the holidays. Then when Lauren stated secondary school in September I changed to Wednesdays after school as Jake was at after school activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays...........now he's staying for athletics on Wednesdays as well.............now I will just be on duty through school holidays

 

I've so enjoyed the privilege of living near to my family and being able to play such a part in their care............. but I feel redundant today

[Egluntyne]

[The Dogmother]

That's a shame Lesley. You've done well by them, watch them grow and flourish now.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

That is sad . How lovely that you've played such a huge part in their lives though. I'm sure you'll reap the rewards as they continue to grow up .

[WitchHazel]

<>

 

How great that your grandchildren have been able to see your "new" way of life first hand, it will stand them in good stead when they are older and they will have many happy memories.

 

And you still have the holidays to look forward to....

[ClaireG]

I'm sure they have enjoyed being with you to. It's lovely that you've been able to have such an active role in their upbringing

[chickencam]

They will be needing you in many other ways as they get older, they are lucky to have Grandma so close.

 

My children only see their grandparents every 3 months or so because we live 150 miles apart, they are still close , but the relationship is different. I had the same relationship with my grandparents. I now see my 90 year old Grandad once a month which is a lot more often than I saw him while I was growing up

[cluckingmad]

Awww, Lesley *hugs*... wish I'd been able to spend as much time with my grans when they were still here - we lived at least an hours drive from both sets of grandparents so only really saw them a few times a year - your grandchildren are very lucky indeed!!

 

Now then. Just think - this will mean that the times you are together will mean soo much more

 

Carolyn x

[jenuk99]

Well I am in my thirties and see my gran every week and I love the relationship we have as I used to live far away and only saw her twice a year. We have so much more in common now with interests and things that you wont be redundant at all. Grandparents are too important for that!!

[Space Chick]

Lesley, I am 35 and still need my Grandad

 

He's in his late 80's now and I'm his main carer, so we've got to the point where we need each other, but I have been blessed to have him (and my other Grandparents who are sadly no longer with us) in my life.

 

I'm quite sure that your Grandchildren do not think that you are redundant

 

((Hugs)) xx

[Alis girls]

I spent loads of time with maternal grandparents as a child. My gran died 10 yrs ago and I miss her. She was devastated when my mum died in 1995 but perked up when ES arrived 8 months later, she adored him and he her. Sadly YS never saw her. I still think she is my gurdian angel as several things have happened and its like someone was urging me to do or not do something. We should have a thread on guardian angels. Lesley they will still need you dont worry

[Olly]

Echo all of the above - I think your grandchildren are so lucky to have you around, and that you're so young and active as well. I bet they will still be coming over, they must love all the animals. And scarily, it's probably only a few years before they'll be able to DRIVE themselves over to see you!

[SarahJo]

bet it was a hard for them too Lesley - if asked I probably would guess where they would rather be, unfortunatley they are also spreading their wings in sport and other clubs

 

They will be round at weekends and hols - and you can also congratulate yourself in what lovely children they have turned out to be, given your time and love in helping to look after them in the early years

[sparkysmum]

Lesley, well done for being such a hands on gran. Your children & grandchildren are soooooo lucky.

[Lesley]

Thank you for all your comments

 

I was feeling a bit sad earlier when we would normally be collecting eggs and cooking tea together - but....they are less than 2 miles up the road and we have them to sleep over once a month so it won't be too bad. We'll probably have them more frequently than once a month - which means I can watch all the juvenile DVDs with them

[Mrs Frugal]

Aww, Lesley . At least you will still see a lot of them and it'll soon be Christmas holiday time too .

[The Dogmother]

We're the same as Liz - my folks are an hour and a half away, so we don't see them that often. I was very close to my maternal grandparents; the Italian culture is for you to spend lots of time with them. I miss them both a lot.

 

Make the most of being so close to them Lesley; I wish I'd had the support you're able to offer.

[theherd123]

Oh Lesley I really feel for you, it must feel so weird after all those years of having both of them around after school for them suddenly not to be there.

 

I can always send Isabelle!

She's no good at egg collecting and cant yet help with the cooking but she giggles a lot and will be great company (most of the time!)

You interested?!

 

The sleep overs sound great though!

[chick wiggle]

Aww, Leslie, you know theres no such thing as a redundant grandma! After all the time they have had with you, you will always be there in the back of their minds. They are lucky children and probably looking forward to those sleep overs as much as you are!

[Snowy]

Awwwww - almost like them leaving home all over again (((hugs)))

Glad you are feeling a bit better now though - get planning those sleepovers instead!

[BeckyBoo]

I was going to say the same as Chickwiggle, Grandmas are never redundant. I'm lucky in that my Mum does all my childcare after work and in the school holidays, my Dad is 10 doors up and the in-laws are 3 streets away. My children are so lucky to be able to see their family very often, I saw my Dads mum once a year as she lived in Lancashire and I've always lived in Surrey. The time they've had with you can never be replaced and whilst you might not be doing day to day stuff it sounds like you've been as important in their upbringing as their Mum and Dad.

Well done you, make the most of your new time - I'm sure they'll be descending on you as often as they can!

 

BeckyBoo

[jlo]

I echo all that has been said above. You will still be loved, cherished and appreciated by your family and will probably see them far more than you think.

 

My children are very lucky as my mum lives with us and they have a very close relationship. Your grandchildren sound just as lucky.

[Lesley]

Aaaw! - you're all so kind!

 

We're all planning because we miss each other (already ) We used to go to my daughter's on Thursday evenings and have take-away curry. That stopped when we moved to the farm and acquired a puppy, we're going to go back to a similar arrangement and as we have another puppy then the take-away evenings will be here. Carl gets on really well with my son-in-law..... my son comes along as well.... Lauren and Jake will be here to chat about school....

 

I'll keep DVDs for sleepovers though - that's my moment to snuggle up on the sofa with both grandchildren and watch all my favourite films

Edited November 5, 2009 by Guest

[Sheilaz]

Lesley, the Thurs. night treat sounds such a good idea. A redundant Grandma? Never! There's no such thing!

The time spent together will be different as children grow up, but the relationships will always be very special. Grandmas are for life! (Not just Christmas).

[Lesley]

I need a car sticker saying that