Grandchildren 'Sleeping Over'

I love having them to stay. One night, when I was having no success in getting them to stay in bed, I stood up said 'OK you two can please yourselves but I'm off to bed' switched all the lights off and carried on upstairs. The silence was ominous as I lay in bed and listened to them creep upstairs. Bingo! Another morning, when elder GD crept into my bed, I said sleepily 'It's only 0530' to which she matter-of-factly said 'well I didn't know that, did I?' How true. I just love their quirkiness and things I had forgotten. All wonderful. Hope you enjoy the experience as much as I do.

Quite honestly, I think your daughter needs reminding that she CHOSE to have these children, and they are her responsibility. If the stress of them plus full time job is getting to her, then it's up to her to sort that out for herself. Either give up the job, reduce her hours, or find one that is more family friendly. Children are not designer handbags, they are little people who deserve to have a happy mummy. It's not fair getting you to do more and more. If they don't sleep all night, that's part of parenthood.

She’s just trying to help her daughter through a tough time Dillyduck, wouldn’t we all do the same?

Obviously not, Sara65!!
Although most of us would

Then you wonder why some grandparents become estranged …..

We’ve had all our 8 grandchildren, oldest now almost 17 for sleepovers since they were very small. Never all 8 at once, mind you! Yes there has been the occasional dreadful sleepover that involved playing “musical beds” for what felt like the whole night, but on the whole we’ve enjoyed doing it. I’m not naturally an early riser but grandpa is so he’d always do the breakfast shift! Now they’re all older and busy with their own activities, youngest is 10, it doesn’t happen so often. Reading the various comments on this thread makes me a bit nostalgic for those early morning wake ups, with a little face staring at me followed by a warm little body or 2 creeping into bed with me for a cuddle. Happy days, enjoy it while you can, Lyndiloo

I discovered, a bit late in the day, that any chocolate treats must be eaten mid afternoon at latest because the stimulant properties of chocolate (for a treat after supper) always kept them awake/lively.

So, choose 'treats' carefully.

We always have a 'movie night' as DGD calls it, and we sit and watch a film of her choosing before bed...or part of it, and the rest can be viewed at 6.30am (yawn!) when they wake up! Popcorn seems to be the best 'treat'and doesn't interfere with sleep.

A stair gate is a must. We have had half-asleep and bewildered DGC wandering around in the middle of the night. Ask your daughter about their bedtime routines too and try to emulate them. It helps.

It is tiring at first but now we always ask if we can have the DGC sleep over. I miss them when they go home.

Have fun and good luck!

We have ours 7,5 and 3 every other weekend. Waterproof mattress protector, bedtime stories ideally until the’ e dropped off, nightlights, their teddy or comfort blanket and some new pjs with their favourite character on so that they are excited about getting ready for bed. Enjoy, I am sure it’ll be fine

We too have movie nights, sometimes takes a while to decide on the movie, but we get there in the end!

No chocolate to be consumed, too messy, so a drink and biscuits, all snuggled up in front of the fire on a big sofa, lovely!

In the winter we have Strictly Come Dancing nights, we all love that!

We looked after 9 month old DGD for first time overnight last Saturday. It was wonderful but VERY hard work. She was very upset at bedtime when she realised her parents weren’t returning. Next day she woke at 5:45 am ? but in an excellent mood. Parents returned at lunchtime. We were astonished that she decided she wasn’t going to let her mother cuddle her as “punishment” for the abandonment.

Babies sense/feel more than we realise. That's astonishing glammagran. I have not yet had my 6 month old overnight, but this is for sure. When I do have him for a few hours during the day, he is fine, no problem, but as soon as he sees his mum's face when she returns, he's like on a springboard to her ❤️

Agree with most above. Might not need stairgate if youngest 3 as should be ok on stairs at that age. Go to bed early yourselves as might be up for day at 5am onwards! Stick mostly to home routine when 5 and 3. Older GC can cope and get excited with treats better. Get copy of favourite DVD if possible - DGD would watch Frozen 6 times a day if she was allowed - aged 2 going on 5 like big brother! Obvs need their comforters and bedtime story books. What a lovely thing you are doing for your DD and SIL. And special for yourselves.

Check over any possible hazards in the bedroom. My granddaughter received a really nasty cut on the head when she fell out of a double bed and hit the edge of a bedside table. I put a thick bath mat on it now when she sleeps over.

They will doubtless be so hyped up by being in a double bed together that they will take ages to go to sleep, but hopefully will sleep like little logs after they do settle.

Baby gate and night light good ideas

I have a very sweet memory of DGS 2 aged perhaps 4 sitting on the top step of our stairs in the middle of the night, looking glum. On enquiring what was wrong he replied “I need a wee wee but I’ve lost the toilet”
Directed him and he hopped back into bed to my great relief (and no doubt his)