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

I'm the strict Nanny (sit straight at the table, ask to get down, say please and thank you etc) but I'm also the Nanny who spoils them. I'm not the Nanny who can get down and play imaginary games but I will read and tell them about nature and science and educational things. And according to one GD I am the best back scratcher with the best nails!

Have brought my GD up since the age of 4,I am a kinship carer..mothers day is a difficult time for both of us so E decided one year to make a day for me of my own,she wrote the following on her laptop,decorated and printed,and I have it framed on the wall...these are her words..

My Nanny by xxxxx xxxx

when I am upset my nanny is there for me
when I cry and scream my nanny is there for me
when I cant take any more my nanny is there for me
My Nanny is my nanny I wouldnt change her for the world she is my ideal and my inspiration I love you more than anything dont change for nobody.

E wrote this age 12...she is nearly 17,she describes me as a nummy,because Iam mummy / nanny all rolled into one .....probably explains why I am cuddly....two for the price of one

Hope they remember me as the grandma who loved them unconditionally and gparents who took them on train rides watched Cbb,s and did all the silly dances played hours with play dough and baked tastey buns

I was so proud when my grandson said "Grandma, you are so cool, because you do pottery." Never been called 'cool' before or since. Apart from that, I have no idea how the see me now that they are so grown-up. They still give me a hug, that is all that matters.

"Granny has Trooper (our dog) and Granny plays with Trooper. Granny has pink hair (no idea?? It's red/brown/grey) Granny works in England(I'm retired) Next time I see Granny I want to run away when the water is coming (waves)I like my Granny. Granny is my friend"
Written by my 3 year old Grandson in a book prepared for my 60th birthday.

Just asked my 11 year old GS how he saw me, and he looked nonplussed! I suggested "Strict, batty, fair, affectionate" he grinned all over his face. We cook tgoether and do all sorts of conspiratorial things together. We have jsut come back from the supermerket (!) where I got new pans - but I also got him a (totally unexpected) new X-bos game. He loves me unconditionally often bringing me presents when he goes on holiday, rather than his mum or nana. I am the paternal GP but have had him to stay with us, sleeping with me "until I'm 16" for years... I love him to bits!

The 2 GDs are more complicated. the relationship with DD and SiL is a bit iffy at times, though not bad. GD1 loathed me to start with and could barely tolerate being in the same room. She has changed her mind - and I can do "anything" for them now, anything they don't know or can't do, I'm now consulted; so things look up! Still very "strict, batty, fair, affectionate".

BTW I climb trees better then they can, and I'm pushing 70!

My 3yr old DGS was chatting at dinner time. He said his baby brother was a mango. His mum was a sweetie. Then when DD asked him what I was, he said Nanan's a terror! Me put in my place.

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

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

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.

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'.

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!

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

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

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 .

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 ...

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.

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

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

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 ??

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!

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.

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.

Anya

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.