I need help!

Wishing you and your little grandson a happy happy time.

Chestnut

Do not attempt to lift him using painkillers, you may do your back a worse injury. You will be tempted.

Let him get used to you from the floor, as you sit engaging with him, smiling, waving, holding out toys for him to come and get. Let him come to you. If he sees a friendly smiling face offering him some interesting toy he will want to come over. Once he's used to you maybe he will sit on your lap briefly, especially at a table where you can turn him towards a jigsaw or whatever on the table, holding and cuddling him whilst he does some activity. The important thing is not to force him. Let him take the lead.

I'm sure you will get plenty of time engaging with him face to face and enough cuddles to keep you satisfied! Don't forget to take some interesting toys to engage his attention, but check it's something he hasn't got.

Super advice. A gran who is interested in him, and doesn't have to rush around doing things...why, thats something to look forward to.

If you persist, then they might just want to snuggle.

Thank you everyone for all your help and advice. I will just enjoy being with him as I am so excited!

My oldest never wanted cuddles, even if she was being held at a very young age, she was looking round to see something more interesting.

It's so interesting watching babies and young children but he might be happy to look at books with you and point out pictures and learn the words.
Can you buy some books to take with you? Rod Campbell's books with lift-up flaps are good for interaction. There are lots more suitable sturdy board books. He might like to sit and 'read' with you.

How about playing peek-boo and patta cake patta cake baker’s man?

Sing songs to him! Even sitting above him, you’ll engage him and be interacting. Then when he’s sleepy at bedtimes maybe you’ll get a cuddle and sing or hum songs to him.

Nursery rhymes, wind the bobbin up, nonsense songs made up using his name

I have to agree Weymouth getting down on to the floor, if you find it difficult then as someone said use cushions, to kneel on as well as to lean against. But your best chance of decent interaction is the floor.

Perhaps you can help at bedtime. He might be a bit young to be read to, but we told our DS stories, when he was very small, until he fell asleep. It could be a special time for the two of you as long as it doesn't upset his routine too much.

You are more precious than your Grandson !

Take it at his pace don’t push it. You’re there and that’s enough don’t be too pushy! Take it from a nursery teacher.

Play it by ear. When he gets used to you he may be persuaded to give grandma a hug and let you kiss him but don’t push it. If he’s active he won’t want to be picked up.

Practise sitting on the floor, and getting up from sitting on the floor. There are lots of ways to get yourself up easily on you tube. If you're at the same level as the baby you are guaranteed more interaction.

A baby of eight months would be ready to cuddle with you to read a bright, activity book like “Tails”, he will enjoy feeling the textures of the animals tails and pulling the tabs to make them move.

Take something to play with and he will be intrigued. Soon be climbing up to see what you are doing! A picture book. A wooden puzzle, a colouring book and crayons. They love to scribble. A long piece of paper to lay on the floor and draw round him. That’s good fun. He can scribble afterwards. You’ll get a lot of enjoyment too and will forget about your pains. I also have scoliosis and arthritis and PMR and adrenal insufficiency. Still enjoyed my DGC! Go with the flow and pay afterwards. Yes take paracetamol anyway if that helps. 💐

He doesn't know you so it will probably take some time for him to accept you as someone who he wants to interact with. You'll have to take your lead from him.

If it's possible go down to his level even if you need help to get back up. Even at 8 months you'll get a cuddle. He will probably be keen for a lap when tired so ask someone if you can hold him before he squirms for a parent.

At eight months your grandson is probably shy of people he does not know, and as you and he do not live in the same country, he really has not had any opportunity to know who you are. Please do take this into account, otherwise I am afraid you will find your visit a huge disappointment.

IMO small children are rather like cats - if you sit quietly and seem fairly uninterested in them (difficult, I know) they come to you - if you fuss and want to pick them up, they just want to get away.

Focus on having a lovely time with your daughter and watching your grandson, but don't try too hard with him.
'

Daddima

Newatthis

Many of you know through my previous post that I live in a different country from my new grandson (now 8 months old). The good news is that we have just booked flights and will visit at the beginning of September for 3 weeks (yippee). My concern is that I have painful knees and a very bad back(scoliosis) so lifting heavy weights is not possible so I will not be able to lift him from the floor, where he is now crawling, or carry him while I am standing as he is a very sturdy baby. My DD says he doesn't like to sit on her knee anymore as he always want to explore. So - how do I get my cuddles in or has any of you got a quick fix rather than to dose up with painkillers.

Why do you have to ‘get your cuddles in’?

Cuddling an older baby is almost always for the benefit of the adult rather than something the baby enjoys. Let him play and enjoy his company at his level.

Can you run? Sounds like an active chap. Forget cuddles, just enjoy the view!

Some babies are not cuddly and even parents get very few cuddles. DD was like that. If she was awake she was moving,

What you get depends on your DGS and his character.

Why not sit on the floor with a cushion against the chair or sofa, supporting your back?
I always get down on the floor, their level when playing with a crawling baby. Plenty of close interaction.

Would you be able to sit on the floor so you're at his level?

Newatthis

Many of you know through my previous post that I live in a different country from my new grandson (now 8 months old). The good news is that we have just booked flights and will visit at the beginning of September for 3 weeks (yippee). My concern is that I have painful knees and a very bad back(scoliosis) so lifting heavy weights is not possible so I will not be able to lift him from the floor, where he is now crawling, or carry him while I am standing as he is a very sturdy baby. My DD says he doesn't like to sit on her knee anymore as he always want to explore. So - how do I get my cuddles in or has any of you got a quick fix rather than to dose up with painkillers.

Why do you have to ‘get your cuddles in’?

I’m with Farmor. He may not want cuddles at all. Not being able to pick him up may be a blessing in disguise . Imagine being busy with life on the floor and having an adult scoop you up and away for a cuddle with them. They would not be your favourite person!

On the other hand an interested adult sitting calmly in a chair, a repository for stuff found on the floor who lets you come and go as you will? Much better.

Try to see it from his eight month old point of view rather than your own longings.

Do not attempt to lift him using painkillers, you may do your back a worse injury. You will be tempted.

Let him get used to you from the floor, as you sit engaging with him, smiling, waving, holding out toys for him to come and get. Let him come to you. If he sees a friendly smiling face offering him some interesting toy he will want to come over. Once he's used to you maybe he will sit on your lap briefly, especially at a table where you can turn him towards a jigsaw or whatever on the table, holding and cuddling him whilst he does some activity. The important thing is not to force him. Let him take the lead.

I'm sure you will get plenty of time engaging with him face to face and enough cuddles to keep you satisfied! Don't forget to take some interesting toys to engage his attention, but check it's something he hasn't got.