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For fun - how do you think your grandchildren would describe you?

(57 Posts)
Imperfect27 Sat 09-Jan-16 15:43:09

I am a very new granny and /I am just beginning to think of all the things /I would like to do with my DGS. I wonder what I will teach him and what he will teach me along the way. And I wonder how he might describe me in years to come ... for fun, share in a few words, what you think your GC/s think of you ... this is what I think my GS might come up with in years to come, but who knows...!!!

Hopefully ...

Fun - I have a wicked sense of humour and I think it will out !!!

Conspiratorial - my DD told me that her nanny always let her stay up later than I suggested - and I am sure that would just be the start of the spoiling list.

A bit batty - I aim to cultivate eccentric qualities smile - will give them all something to talk about when I am gone!

Book mad - I have a long list of 'want to reads' - both myself and my daughter teach and are literacy specialists. I have already bought a couple of titles in! (He is a week old today smile smile

Well, that's me started - how about you???




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annodomini Sat 09-Jan-16 15:51:46

I know that my adult GD would describe me as supportive. I maintained a relationship with her mother when she split up with my son, and always went along to choir concerts when her mum couldn't be bothered; took her out to lunch regularly when she was at Uni and proudly attended her graduation.
The younger ones would probably regard me as a big softy - and fat!

Daddima Sat 09-Jan-16 15:53:26

I always think that the maternal granny is the " real" everyday granny, as she is usually nearer at hand and most visited.

As the paternal granny ( as I am ), we have to carve our niche with the children, according to their personalities, so that we are the favourites ( joke, for all maternal grannies reading!)

I think my grandchildren might think I am as not right in the head as they are. I do hope so.

Galen Sat 09-Jan-16 15:55:59

Good for buying dinosaurs and getting a lift from on my mobility scooter!hmm

Gagagran Sat 09-Jan-16 15:57:53

Always ready to give cuddles and hugs and to listen. Just to love them unconditionally.

etheltbags1 Sat 09-Jan-16 16:01:19

Im the gran who loves climbing trees and playground equipment, playing chase, giving tickles ,rolling on the floor and spending hours curled up on the sofa with my little one watching tv or reading. I don't aspire to be any different.

durhamjen Sat 09-Jan-16 16:15:24

I'll dispell that idea straight away, Daddima, being a paternal gran and seeing two of my grandchildren every day. The maternal one lives in Denmark!

I used to be like that, ethel, twenty years ago, when my eldest granddaughter was two, or even ten years ago except for the climbing trees, but now my grandson keeps telling me I should be able to run like him because I'm not that old. I have to remind him I'm at least fifty years older than him.

Anya Sat 09-Jan-16 16:43:33

Not me. I make them do their homework, music practice, wash their hands, eat all their greens, sit up straight and don't answer back.

Children should be seen and not heard.

Jane10 Sat 09-Jan-16 16:54:15

Anya grin

M0nica Sat 09-Jan-16 17:08:38

DGC have a marvellous maternal grandma who lives nearby and does all the everyday things that DGC need like babysitting, meeting from school, and picking up after extra activities. She will be 80 this year and has been fantastic and I hope DGC will remember her for always being there and being a comfort in any emergency.

We are the distant (200 miles) GPs and I think DH and I are seen as the 'doing' GPs. I have been teaching DGD to sew and knit, and make things she wants from dolls clothes to knitting Katy Morag sweaters for World Book Day while DH takes DGS down to the shed to make things.

Because when they stay with us without their parents it is usually for a few days for a week, we are also the going exciting places GPs, we live near enough London for Day trips and find other places to visit that they really enjoy.

Teetime Sat 09-Jan-16 17:32:52

GS says I'm medium old and bossy! But he does give me nice hugs - at 11 he doesn't want to be kissed at all so I kiss the top of his head.

Katek Sat 09-Jan-16 17:36:00

My lot think I'm quite batty but good in goal (I slide dramatically down the goal post when i let a goal in) I'm also good for cuddles apparently and pretty quick/sneaky with a Nerf gun. Dgd announced recently that I'm always happy!

riclorian Sat 09-Jan-16 18:42:37

I know what our five yrs old grandaughter thinks of us :-
A few days ago she declared she was not going to get married , her Grandpa asked ''Would you marry me ? '' Her reply was''No you are old'' I stupidly laughed at this, so she turned to me and said '' And so are you ! '' Why do they have to be so honest ??

Cherrytree59 Sat 09-Jan-16 19:06:09

Bossy boots according to DG and. Sister
But I think with DGC a walkover.
One smile and that's it. ..
Only problem will be when DGC learn to talk properly then I might in deep doo doo with DC grin

Cherrytree59 Sat 09-Jan-16 19:12:41

BTW imperfect my DGC were given black and white picture books at just couple months if that , by the health visitor. Babies apparently can see. B/ W at very young age

Greyduster Sat 09-Jan-16 19:19:08

Unlike katek I am not good in goal, but seem to be appreciated as a useful midfielder with a decent turn of speed! Those days are numbered though. He also likes me to play with his Action Men with him "because you make up the best adventures, Nanny" (cue Action Man Lost Explorer in the Temple of the Little Yellow God" (aka known as the oriental statue at the top of the garden. A.M. abseils down the honeysuckle after death sliding down the clothes line in a daring escape!)). I am also good at turning said Action Men into Star Wars figures with foil, all manner of junk, and bits of felt (you can make a cool light sabre from a red straw and a tiny rawlplug!). But I can also be a bit of an old growler if pushed too far, and I come down on hard on bad manners, but he seems to love me anyway.

Imperfect27 Sat 09-Jan-16 19:26:55

Loving the posts here and some very handy tips. Yup, manners important to me too - I think my DD and SIL will be hot on that topic too. Love the Star Wars junk ideas and Cherrytree59, I have bought him a penguin for his crib - thanks for the reminder that there are black and white books too. I have already succumbed to buying The Very Hungry Caterpillar and We're Going On a Bear Hunt board books to make a start ... smile

Stansgran Sat 09-Jan-16 19:57:52

I hope we are the ones that live in their second home. They always act as though they've never lived anywhere else. One set of gps have bought a beautiful holiday home in a beautiful part of the world with the intention of having their GC s there all summer. Sadly I have to agree that it is in the children's best interest but I will miss them. Durham is lovely but dull for children .

cornergran Sat 09-Jan-16 20:04:31

I hear regularly 'oh you are so silly', invariably said with a huge smile. smile

NanaandGrampy Sat 09-Jan-16 21:20:52

I'm the provider of cuddles, movie munch and sleepovers, painting and sticking, swimming and reading stories. I'm a master Lego builder and great with cars :-)

But most of all I'm who they come to when they need something extraordinary because I can find or make anything according to them! It would never dawn on them that there was something I couldn't do.

I'm their super Nana ! And it makes me feel ten foot tall.

Best of all they love me without question and for no good reason other than I'm their Nana grin

emmasnan Sat 09-Jan-16 21:51:28

I look after my Granddaughter several times a week after school. We chat about her day, have a hug and do lots of crafts. We are also known for bursting into song and crazy dancing.
She often refers to me Nanny Totally Ga Ga, so I imagine that says a thing or two about me!

Grandma2213 Sun 10-Jan-16 02:07:40

I am lucky enough to have been able to care for my DGC since birth and am a big part of their lives (and they mine).

I hope they remember me for the fun times, picnics, walks, visits to the library and special events, just playing out, paddling pool in the garden, growing things, teaching them to ride their bikes, board games, crafts, my impromptu story telling, making rhymes and poems, silly jokes, dancing, singing (Frozen! Aaargh!), made up games and shows.

Also for homework, making models for school, costumes improvised for special days, reading, writing, drawing etc, attending special events at nursery, school and church. Not to mention when they are poorly (one mummy doesn't do 'sick'), nursing and cuddles. Trips to doctor, dentist and A & E!

But most of all I hope they remember 'I love them forever'. smile

NanaNancy Sun 10-Jan-16 04:23:45

I come to the Nana game from a different perspective than many having gained by grands through marriage to my second husband. I do think of all of them as my own, but when my own biological daughter at some point in the distant future has a child I am sure I will be overcome by the emotion.
Please play, play, play.
I play with all 5 from ages 13 to 2. We might play cards or build lego or lately a lot of playing with "babies".
Never be embarrassed to be the best Nana you can be. Hike around the streets carrying a bundled up doll while your 4 yr old bops ahead with her "baby" in its stroller.
Throw the card across the table when dealing the cards to the older ones.
and most of all give them your time. ALL other things can wait. They cannot as by tomorrow they will be grown.
I hope they remember these years we are together with love, and for just being here.

SJP Sun 10-Jan-16 09:43:54

Someone they spend holidays with, takes them out on trips and does things with them. Someone who likes Poldark, music, reading who gives them presents

harrigran Sun 10-Jan-16 10:43:31

If asked I think GC would say " she is Grandma " in their eyes it needs no further explanation.