I need help!

Sorry to disappoint, but you may not get cuddles from 8 month old who likes to explore. If he doesn't want to sit on his mum's knee, he's unlikely to stay on yours, even if someone else puts him there. He'll wriggle and squirm until you have to put him down. You'll probably have to be content with watching his "adventures". Babies at that age are fascinating.

If you're there 3 weeks, he'll make a lot of progress while you're there. If he's crawling now, he's likely to be pulling himself up to standing before you leave.

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.

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.

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’?

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

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.

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.

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