Hi there; Grandma babysitting-the-grandsons-for-the-summer checking in. Eldest grandson is seven, the younger is 9 months.
I’ve only had them for less than four hours now, and I’m pooped! I need a nap…
So far, the seven-year-old has: played with his Lite Brite, created a pizza using PlayDoh, built a city with Lincoln Logs, read two chapters of Harry Potter: Chamber of Secrets, built a fort using a big-ass box, chairs and blankets, and bugged me two zillion, gillion times to swim in the pool.
I have thwarted the baby’s attempts to do himself in by eating/chewing on inappropriate things. He’s a crafty opponent, my infant grandson. You see, I knew I would have him for the summer and baby-proofed (HAH!) my house. Yeah, riiight. I underestimated his penchant for munching on cords, shoes and ottomans. Nothing is immune from his eight teeth. Including Grandma’s fingers and ankles. Yes, he’s an ankle biter. But I love him anyway.
I had my three daughters when I was in my twenties, I’m now 46. I’m glad I had my children when I was young and had the energy to keep up with the three hellions. Don’t think I could do it today. Anyway, my hat’s off to all the Doper Moms/Dads that care for their children on a 24/7/365 basis. You deserve a big virtual pat on the back. Bless you, each and every one!
I’m 43 - my kids are now 12, 13, 15.
When I see my friends just now having babies I laugh. I could not IMAGINE going through that with my tired old body!
This last week, my mom had them Tuesday night so I could golf. We saw her Thursday night because she was cleaning my house. We saw her Friday night because she decided to clean my garage (did I mention I PAY a housekeeper! Yep.). My husband worked all weekend (a 17 hour day on Friday, a 20 hour day on Saturday, and 15 hours on Sunday), so we saw her Saturday, when we took the kids to the museum and out for ice cream, and Sunday when we went up to her house to hang.
Kids, I can keep up with the kids. I can’t keep up with my mother.
How we do it is a piece of cake compared to the women of my mother’s generation.
My mother had her first four, all boys, 15 months apart. The last of us (another 4) were born 3 or 4 years apart. She went for a period of several years with at least two in diapers. Cloth diapers. With no washing machine. Dad worked out of town and was only home on weekends, and they only had one car. In a rural area. No phone, either. This was all more than 50 years ago.
Her parents were nearby, for a rural area. They lived 15 miles from where my parents then lived. They’d stop by a couple times a week to see if she needed anything.
I honestly don’t know how she did it. I really don’t think I could have.
Gee, Mr. Moto, I’d gladly offer to babysit your twins, but sadly I’m washing my hair that day. Congrats to you on your double blessings! How does it work with twins, BTW? Are they double the trouble, or twice the fun? Do they keep each other occupied? Do they bite Grandma’s ankles?
They are both double the trouble and twice the fun. They do keep each other occupied, but in several months, if my cousin’s twins are any indication, they’ll start conspiring to get into mischief.
Their grandparents (and two great-grandparents) live in Pittsburgh and Albany. They get their ankles bitten every few months.