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I won't either. Just occasionally. I dote over them when I'm at their house. lol But I have 13 grandkids now ages 25 to 3. I think. lolWe have three grown kids. I guess we did something right, probably by accident and not by design, when they were growing up. All have good jobs, two have children of their own, and my main complaint (which I'd never say to them) is that their daddy and I do not want to babysit our grandchildren every week. Just because we're retired and at home all the time, doesn't mean that we are bored, unhappy, or lonely and therefore in need of having grandchildren here all the time.
I know grandparents are supposed to dote on their grandchildren and want to spend every minute with them, but we don't feel that way. I guess we're defective grandparents. Part of how I feel comes from the fact that we rarely had babysitters for our children so I think that if I did it alone, then you should be doing it alone, too, most of the time.
Actually, I find it harder as adults than when they were kids. 4 kids, 13 grandkids (and now 1 ggrand). And since my autism diagnosis about 6 or so years ago, they all realized they probably are and a few of the grandkids have a definite diagnosis because problems in school. Probably more are than not.Yes, we managed to raise two units of humanity. Neither has reproduced yet and I think their both being ND has been a factor. Overall our relationships have been very good, though there are always going to be bumpy patches which I see as natural for most people. As parents you never really lose your concern and anxiety over their well being so in a way parenting evolves but never ends. I don't really miss being a grandparent but would not mind if it happened. Practically the day the kids started moving out on their own we replaced them with Chihuahuas and that has softened the empty nest syndrome.
What exactly they don't like hearing from you?I get so tired of them shushing me. grrr
absolutely anything that doesn't agree with them. My youngest son is the worst - he KNOWS everything and has all the answers. He quit school at 17 because he "knew more than the teachers". He got his GEd later and went for some college, but still has that same attitude.What exactly they don't like hearing from you?
I enjoy my grandkids - especially ages 3-10. That age - they are excited to see me, I'm good at entertaining them for a little while, and then I go home and rest for 3 days. I don't like a planned babysitting though. That feels like going to a job. And if they've given me a time that they will be back for the kids, when that time comes I am mentally done. Then they are late and I start going into a melt down because I was done. (sorry - ranting.)I have one adult son who refuses to have anything to do with me. But he is so sweet-nasty to me that this does not bother me. He is unpleasant to be around.
He has one son who lives in Sweden with his mother, who is a Swedish citizen. So is my grandchild. I have seen him twice. Neither time was much fun and both parents were sure I was going to drop him or do some other permanent damage.
Interestingly enough, it is my foster daughter who has grown into a wonderful caring loving adult. At 25, she is now in her first serious relationship. We just spent a glorious weekend together. I've never been particularly interested in grandchildren, but on the drive home, it suddenly occurred to me that I might have grandchildren because of her. I was thrilled. I can't wait. Total and complete reversal in my opinion of having grandchildren.