Perils of childcare!

Lovely thread, hilarious and are we all mad?? Our GS accompanied us to buy a birthday gift for himself and a little something for his sister, who was poorly. We thought a doll or cuddly toy? No, he chose a vicious looking eagle on elastic so it launched at its prey. She loved it!

My DD had a small teddy bear that she really loved and took everywhere with her. One summer I managed to find a Hawaiian shirt that fitted and made him a suitcase out of a matchbox to put his "usual" T-shirt in just so he was like her. She is 33 now and teddy is still in a drawer here with her pjs for emergency stopovers.

I am another one who dresses the dolls and put them in their cots or the pram when GD goes home. Last time she was here she asked if she could take the doll for a little holiday, I agreed but reminded her that she must look after her and not leave her lying naked in her bedroom

I found a tiny Action Man spoon from the mess-kit when we moved, it's now safely in trinket box. When DGS is old enough for his Daddy's Action Men it's ready and waiting. Unless I've forgotten where it is !
Almost as uplifting as finding Jesus !

I bought a toy pug yesterday from a shop and was talking to him in the car on the way home to reassure him. Told my daughter I had collected him from the kennels.
Also told the puppy not to be anxious because his owner is a very nice young boy.
Plot definitely lost.

I have spent time with DGS today making little lego houses in matching colours fo Dipsy, Tinkywinky, Lala, and Po - it was my idea!!! I REALLY need to get out more!

Menopaws you've made me laugh out loud! I look after children for a living and it's all about finding Lego and pencils in various places!! I was once talking to a parent at the end if the day when I slipped on the sand and ended up in the arms of a rather alarmed dad picking his daughter up!!!!

The posts on here have made me laugh and want to weep in equal measure! Such sweetness in caring for all the dolls and teddies! We are so lucky to have grandchildren!

When DGD grows out of certain toys, DD can’t bear to part with them, so they have to come and live in my rather small flat.
DD looked into my spare room and tutted loudly, then she asked me if I realised that I was becoming a hoarder!

Menopaws I too laughed out loud and read it to DH. Hilarious!
Im more like Anya when tidying up- bung em all in a box and shove in the cupboard!

I was asked to knit a baby Jesus for a nativity group.

DH thought it was very amusing when I kept saying 'I'm fed up with baby Jesus. I can't get his face right and I feel guilty stabbing him with a needle etc'.

I always have to dress the dollies again because younger DGD strips them grandMattie and I can't bear to see them cold. Then I tuck them up with blankets.

Yes grandtante I am looking for another doll for my granddaughter I've grown fond of this one although not many nice dolls in charity shops now, all barbies and lots of soft toys. I could buy her a new one but like the older dolls.

Fabulous, menopaws!! I laughed like the proverbial drain.
My youngest DGD always strips the clothes off her babies. I have no idea why as she loves them to bits. It is delightful to hear her crooning and chatting to them.

Ha ha ! loved that, Menopaws .....reminds me of when my daughter was small and the Vicar came round after we had all been out carol singing, and my daughter got up and came downstairs to share the cocoa and biscuits ....the Nativity scene in the empty fireplace was all up and looking good but the Vicar notice Jesus was missing ...he asked her where Jesus had gone, and without batting an eyelid she said 'He's gone up the pub !' ......talk about wanting to fade away !!!! The Vicar laughed ....

should have been from toddler to pre-teens

Dear Firecracker 123, can't you find a poor lonely dolly or teddy in a charity shop to keep teddy company when dolly goes home with your GD? That's what I'd do.

I have a family of dolls, some from my childhood, two from my mother's, one of my sister's and I have just got them all into their winter clothes, 17 girls from toddler pre-teens, one baby girl and two little boys.

I've loved most of them all my life (one or two are new additions) why should I stop now, when I finally have time to play with them again?

Then there are the teddies, mine and DHs and an Indian married couple (doll saris are so much easier to sew than dresses!)

I've already lost the plot, every night I have to take the show pillows off the bed and place them on the footstool with Bear and companions on top with a throw as a cover. If DH goes to bed before me he just bungs them any old how and I am driven to make them comfortable. I must admit that I didn't give up playing with dolls until I was 14. Still have a soft spot for them though. Youngest granddauughter (21 months) is following in my footsteps. Yay.

Ahhh used to do all those bits when my gd was little.
Even when I tidied up the doors house used to have a sneaky play myself. The plastic fruit and veg and the little shopping trolley and basket.
Miss all that. I once put teddy soft in the washing machine ohno he went all scruffy she was really upset.
Still sits in her bed and she's now 17.

when my son (now 43) was little his favourite soft toy was a seal - I must have washed it one day (don't remember that bit) and put it in the tumble drier with a muslin over its eyes. I had a friend round who looked at me as though I was mad......I explained it was to protect the glass eyes not to stop the seal seeing what was going on.

Menopaws. I've just read your post to DH. Like Minnie's Mum we both thought it was hilarious. Thankyou for brightening our day.

Menopaws - I have just read that out to DH and w are both sitting here with tears streaming down our faces. Best laugh for weeks! Just put my makeup on to go out so will have to redo it. Lovely start to the day - now to tackle the ruddy supermarket.

Meno 1grin]

I have to resort the toys after DSIL tidies up when they are about to leave. He's a lovely man but just doesn't 'get' it.

My most hated job is when they have taken all 8 babuskas apart. There is always a top or bottom without its other bit! There is also, usually, a very tiny babuska left and it's usually from one of the ones with lots and lots to open rather than only 4 or 5!

We have bought them all Mousetrap - to have at their houses- and given ours to Barnardos. Sorting that out was the giddy limit!

Menopaws ? love that.