Older grans babysitting

We were 61 and 62 when our first grandchild was born. We looked after her 3 days a week from 4 months old and the occasional weekend. When she went to school she was dropped off here at 7:30 and had breakfast, H took her to school, picked her up at 3pm, we gave her tea and she was picked up at 6pm. There were reasons for our involvement I won't go into .
We have 5 other GC and haven't had any ivolment in looking after them for any length of time,only in times of need.
I was often very tired with the care of the first but I am so very close to her,she is 17 and a half now and not a week goes by when I don't see her a couple of times. I am far closer to her then any of the others so it does have very special rewards.

We're the age of one of our DIL's grandparents. While not being regular sitters/careers with their little one we are involved and love it. Yes, it's tiring but also so much fun. We are asked and trusted, not sure why but our age counterparts aren't involved in the same way. Perhaps health as we are relatively fit. We have two older ones for fairly regular sleepovers and help with holiday care. Easier now they are oldear and self sufficient in personal care. Planning is the key with them so we aren't exhausted at the end of the day. We involve them and they help plan in down time so we can all re-charge, it works for us. Not sure what the future years will bring but for now it is both fun and a privilege to be involved. A neighbour of nearly 90 cares for her great grandchildren! Babies are more tiring I think, it is relentless, we're lucky there are two of us to share the load. Good luck Victoria hope you can enjoy the little one and not be too exhausted by your day.

I am 62 and DH is 70. We have DGS (4) one whole day a week and after pre school the other days. Sometimes he stays over night. We will have him every day during the school holidays. Mostly it is fine though the occasional strops are very wearing! We are also having our two DGDs, 4.5 and 1, for three days over the holidays. The two older ones play nicely for the first couple of days but then the tiredness sets in and they can get grumpy. The little one, we will have to wait and see, not too good at sleeping through the night. Hope the weather will be good so we can tire them out in the garden/park! DH feels it more than me, he is a very light sleeper whereas I sleep the sleep of the comatose. I will have to get my act together when the girls are here too! After the Easter holidays we get some time off!

I'm 70 this year and do some strenuous babysitting involving looking after the gc when they're unwell, taking them swimming (I don't go in) taking them to Ballet and Martial arts and as I don't have a car this involves a lot of walking. This doesn't happen every week but I am always on standby.

I do wish I was younger, pushing 60 would be nice. I do get really tired and by whole body aches after a long babysit. I worry about getting ill and not being able to help out.

The bonus is a good and natural relationship with the grandchildren. I make them laugh and they make me laugh so maybe they will come and visit me when I'm in the Old Folks' Home

I'm 62 and don't have GC to look after as they're 18 and 14 now and the other two are on the other side of the world but my friend has her two GC aged 3 and 1 several times a week and overnight and I know she finds it tiring at 64. My SIL has looked after her GS now nearly 4 since he was born - she's only 58 but says it's exhausting as he's a very active little chap but they wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not sure I would have the stamina or patience with them now let alone when I'm 70 plus - hats off to all of you!

I no longer need to look after DGC on a regular basis but I think sometimes it is not age which really counts - at 75 we are almost 20 years older than the other Gps of our year olds DGS - however DiL has asked if we could babysit for them to go out as she knows we could cope (twins) whereas she does not think that applies to her own much younger parents.

I am 67, and OH is 69 with PD. We have a 10 month old one day a week and a 3 year old another. We are completely bushed by the time each of them leaves. But....I find that easier than when a DD comes with both their children - it becomes more chaotic than it is when we have them on our own. They have fun with us, but it is quieter - lots of reading, board games, craft etc. - bit when there is more than one there (even with a parent there) it is totally exhausting.

I reason that very soon they will all be at school - many of our GC already are - and this busy time will not last long. And we will miss it when it is gone!

But the basic answer is yes - we both find it very tiring - but love them to bits and will soldier on!

Still having 3 year old GS2 either before or after preschool everyday. I still find it mostly fun rather than tiring, but I'll be 70 in June and might not want to take on a small baby now.

Interestingly the parents don't seem to ask for your month of childcare in the summer when they can put themselves in the bath,to bed,cook meals and go off to do the things the parents like.

I think our baby rearing days end when we hit the menopause for the very reason you are mostly finding, the older we get the less energy and patience we have. It is exhausting looking after youngsters and I for one like annodomini am quite happy that my grandchildren were mostly small when I was still working full time and now I'm retired they are starting families of their own. I love to have them but I could not physically look after them for any length of time apart from occasionally or in an emergency and I actually wouldn't want to. OH and value 'our time' too much to wear ourselves out struggling to 'help out' even if that is selfish I think we've earned it.

I don't think I could cope at the age of 75. When my first DG was little and lived nearby, I was in my early 50s, working and had loads of other commitments, though I gladly did my bit at weekends. But when the others arrived, they were a long way off, so it was a decision I didn't have to make.

I am 68 I see my grandsons 3 and 11mnths about every two week but dgs2 still quite clingy and cries screams his head off when mum is out of sight.

Last time I was there DD had to go out and left me with the screaming baby. All I could do was to cuddle him and sing to him to try and calm him. he kept trying to throw himself out of my arms but if I put him down he just wanted to crawl back to me. After about 20 mins he fell asleep in my arms and I put him in his cot and he slept. I was quite worried about how he might react but it actually gave me some confidence that I could manage.
My next challenge would be trying to get them both to bed. DGS was fine with me at the same age. I am apprehensive about managing both, but I think I might just be feeling wimpish.

I am 70, just one 4 year old once a week. She is delightful and usually very easy, but has recently found the word no and that it can be emphasised by a foot stamping the floor.

(she does look funny when she does it though, so I have to keep a straight face)

I don't feel old until I look after my grandchildren. I love them dearly but find them exhausting. I remember when we had them stay with us for three days, my husband did a little dance on the front path as they were leaving!

I'm 67 and have had a 4 year old and a 2 year old all day - I'm too tired to when think of a reply! But a worthwhile investment to ensure a relationship with them when they sit down!

No! It is exhausting looking after little ones. I am 70 now my eldest grandson is 15 which was tiring enough but if another grandchild was born I would be knackered.