"B" and I have 10 grandchildren.  The oldest is 11 and the youngest is 13 months.  For the first time last weekend we had the opportunity to take care of two of them for three days and two nights at our house.  I loved it!  It proved to me that they were comfortable with us because neither one of the boys, ages 4 and 20 months, cried for their parents, or cried going to bed or cried in general.  " O" did ask occasionaly, "Mamma, Dadda" but was content when I told him, "They went to New York City in an airplane".  He would happily make the sign of an airplane with his hand and go back to playing. 

We read lots of books, sang lots of songs, played in the sandbox pop-pop built for their use, went to the playground, played in the water table on the deck, ran around the yard, played in the basement family room, went out for ice cream, did grocery shopping, went to church, asked and answered the question, "why" incessently.  The thing we didn't do much of was eat.  "S" is suspicious of all but a short list of foods that he will eat, and "O" is closing in on 2 when eating drops off precipitously for most children.

At the end of the boy's time with us I am sure that I want to take care of them for an extended period again but am left wondering how I got meals, laundry, cleaning, shopping, etc., etc., and took care of four children when mine were little.  My daughter said that I yelled a lot when I made this statement to her.  Maybe I'll do it better the second time around with my grandchildren.  I do hope so!

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Posted by Jackie

I'm glad the boys did so well with you and that you enjoyed it so much. Maybe J and B will feel comfortable leaving them with you more often...
You probably didn't play with us nearly as much as you played with them. I don't play with N and L as much as it sounds like you did.

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