Who's helping out with childcare in the school holidays?

I only have one GC for two days next week, other one happy to go to holiday club where she can play with other children.
I don't get instructions except to tell me not to allow her to sit in front of the TV.
Family are away for half of the school holidays which gives me time to regain energy for the second tranche.

If you have a local park, take them it runs off a lot of energy. Plenty of colouring books and pencils or crayons can be bought ar Poundland. Old bits of wool, glue card. Cake making even if it's a packet mix they love it.
Try not to stress and take it a day at a time, if they have a favourite sandwich or dinner find out from the parents. Also breakfast too.
If you can take them swimming, knocks them out. Good luck anyway

I'll have all 4 for 5 days and nights in August ,I'm used to having them so no real problems except the two wee ones recenctly declared they are ENEMIES .....both bossy wee girls so not a big surprise but it could be a juggling act keeping them apart.They are 7 and 6

I will have my two granddaughters 10 and 12 from 16th August for two weeks. I always look forward to it. Their mother works full-time so it suits us both. I try and plan things for us to do every day. We live in a seaside resort so plenty of things going on for all ages. It does tire me out and my friends say how exhausted I look after but it's definitely worth it and so far they look forward to coming here.

I am having a very lazy weekend to prepare for 3 weeks of 8am-6pm daily care of DGS In reality it probably won't be all day, every day, but it's likely there will be some weekend time included too. He will be going home each day and I'm sure I'll be having plenty of early nights! Specialist child care for him is out of the question. Mum's job is always busier during school holidays and Dad's job involves various shift hours. Between us we'll do it together - there'll be some outings, special treats as well as learning disguised as games, some tv and IPad, and lots of fun. Shopping will be done online and delivered but I doubt the vacuum will see much action

Try to relax minimo and don't worry about things that might not happen. However, do have an emergency plan (contact phone numbers for parents and GP) so you don't waste time panicking if they're needed. Good luck and don't forget to let us know how you get on

We recently looked after our 4year old DGD and her 16 month twin brothers for a Bank Holiday w/e. We love them all dearly and have DGD for a sleepover every week, which is fantastic, because she behaves well and engages with us to do fun things. However with her brothers she becomes loud and hyperactive -understandable because she is not used to 'sharing' us. The boys, as might be expected, had their little fingers into everything, with one distracting and the other going about their mischief! As soon as one's backside hovered over a chair something would kick off and need to be dealt with - it was particularly hard on DOH because I have chronic pain 24/7 and need to rest frequently, and lifting the boys is a no-no. We struggled through somehow, but I don't think we'll offer to have all three for extended sleepovers until the DGCs are older!

When GS was younger, we never had any problem keeping him occupied for the two days a week we would have him in the holidays, though he was a bit of a Duracell bunny! Now he is ten and it is harder. He would prefer to be with his friends rather than here with us, although he always insists that he enjoys being with us. He and his iPad are like Siamese twins and the foot has to be put down very hard. We still play a bit of football, cricket, will often hire a canoe at the country park and paddle round the lake for a couple of hours, take him to the swimming pool. He loves Monopoly and other board games so they are a filler for wet days. Unfortunately neither DH nor I do bikes any more or we would take him cycling. To some extent, the problem has been solved for us this year, as DD is not working through the school holidays and they will be away for two of the six weeks anyway. But we will still hope to spend some time with him when he comes back. We would miss him tremendously if we didn't.

Sorry, got username mixed up with another site! Should have said Mr Cubagran! We love our grand-daughters loads and consider ourselves very lucky to have two such lovely little girls to care for, get lots of cuddles and hugs!

Feel I am lucky compared to some of you on here having your grandchildren for weeks on end- that would absolutely exhaust Mr Prosecco and me, (we are early 70s). We are having our grand-daughters, aged 9 and 7, for 5 days dotted about over the six weeks. There will be visits to local play areas and parks, to the supermarket cafe for chocolate cake and a drink, a bit of pocket money to spend at the shops. I have got them a little jewellery making kit each, so hopefully they will be threading beads for a while, and they want to do some cooking. And we have bought them a tent to make a den in! There are two little girls of similar age next who go to the same school and they are always looking for someone to play with. Luckily my two can amuse themselves for longer now, and do not need our undivided attention all day.

I don't have any grandchildren, but if I did, I would see that I would have no choice but to look after them. If I was a young parent today, there is no way I could afford the outrageously expensive childcare on offer. I'm so glad I had my mum to help me in the 1970's, so I feel I would have do the same for mine if I had any.

We just got back last night from spending 2 weeks looking after 9 month old dgs when our daughter in law went back to teaching for the last 2 weeks of term after 10 months of maternity leave. On duty from 8.00 am until her return at 3.30 ( although we had 3 days when she didn't get back till 6.00 pm. We were lucky that he still has 2 longish daytime sleeps, but unlucky that he had just started to pull himself up on the furniture so had to guard against banged head when he toppled. Hard work but so rewarding when he smiled at us and learned to play the simple games we taught him. Go into it expecting work (and, dare I say it) a little boredom, but the rewards are HUGE. They live more than an hours drive away, so we don't see him as often as we would like, but I know now that we have made a lasting bond and he will know who we are, and trust us, for ever.

I am expecting hurricane Rose, 4 at some point.........the dog and I will be exhausted, she is trying to train us both.

Soft play is my saviour! Takes half an hour to drive there with the 2 dgs, then 2 hours of them tiring themselves out with the occasional foray back to the table for food. They sleep on the drive home and I sometimes take a longer route to give them a decent nap!

Oh I agree with you about being a referee Bluebe11 my three are always squabbling at each other and even the most minor thing can set them off. Someone wanted the blue cup or wanted to sit in a particular chair etc. we now have a rota written on a calendar in their bedroom at ours showing who sleeps in which bunk and who has the pull out bed. Who chooses a film or TV program, who sits at the top of the table.... Etc. Crazy but it works .

I had 3 grandsons for a week aged 10,9 and 8 and I was too tired for lots of days out or refereeing squabbles. I went on Airbnb and got a cottage nearby with a swimming pool. They thought they were in heaven, and so did I laying by a pool all day with a good book. They didn't moan all week, had breakfast, dinner and tea by the pool and went to bed exhausted after swimming all day ... bliss !!

Something my boys loved while they were small, was playing under the dining table. I screwed small cup hooks on the underside, threaded a curtain wire through some old curtains and hung it around the table thus making a private space for them.

[A whole week must be very daunting, but at least you have the opportunity to build some sort of relationship with your grandchildren. Good luck.]

Doing a month -ages 7,3 and 1 year
They think because I was a teacher I know what I'm doing but I taught teenagers not little ones - haven't got a clue -also a little scared - don't tell.

Strangely enough my three like worms (and beetles) too MamaCaz we bought one of those bug domes so they can study them to their hearts content. They also rehouse worms to other parts of the garden ????? Where they think they'll be happier. I don't mind being presented with a worm (mainly DGS) but draw the line at those horrible hard back beetles. Gross .

Of course water is always very popular too. But water pistols and squirty bottles always seem to end in a world war.

Some great ideas here so far.
As well as most of the above, my two (4 & 6) love to dig in the garden, and have since they were tiny. They don't care whether the soil is wet or dry. Their main aim used to be to find worms, which they have always found fascinating (yuk!), but the nature of their digging antics continues to change as they get older. Oh, and they will spend ages watering my plants with their tiny watering cans when I let them.

The younger one can still be kept entertained for quite a while by giving her a bucket of water and large paintbrush, so that she can 'paint' the metal patio table and chairs, and the wooden fence!

If you have a suitable outdoor space, pavement chalks ( not sure if that is the right term!) are a great way of letting them give free rein to their inner artist, and their creations can be easily erased afterwards.

When you they are tired, the already suggested movie night (or afternoon) is great. In reality, you are just sitting them in front of the tv - or computer - but by allowing a special drink, be it pop, milk shake, hot chocolate or whatever, plus popcorn or a few crisps, it becomes a very special event in their minds

Whatever you decide to do, i hope you all enjoy yourselves

I do quite a lot of childcare all year round minimo. Term time and holiday time as parents work shifts. Although I do bigger blocks in the school holidays and I take my own holidays from work to fit in with theirs. (What you have to de eh?)

Anyway we are quite fortunate as the children (2 girls 11 and 9 and 1 boy aged7) have most things at my house already. Lots of toys Lego, Playmobil, scooters, games, art stuff etc. which is a great help and I live 2 minutes away from the seaside and wonderful parks etc. which means we are never stuck for something to do.

Anyway do you have a park nearby ? Somewhere they can go and run around safely? I take my three out no matter what the weather (ask for waterproof clothes and wellies). We walk on the beach. Collect shells, stones and anything else of interest. We then use the collection to make some kind of art work. Pebble painting is popular at the minute and the children have made pet stones and cactuses.

Planned outings are usually the best thing (if you have access to transport) a local petting zoo, farm or whatever. Then don't fell guilty about popping on the TV or a DVD for them (and you) to relax. We often have "movie nights" complete with hotdogs and popcorn. Might be an idea to get one or two films ready.

Also food. Mine sometimes,like to be involved in the cooking/preparing of supper. But do have lots of snacks ready and my three are ALWAYS hungry.

Do you have a garden? We invested in a small tent (cheap as chips in Argos) a few years ago and they love it. They often eat in there and play. Plenty of cushions are a must and an old blanket or two.

Mine like planting too. They have made fairy gardens and are growing carrots and other bits. They recently harvested their potatoes and boy do they love eating what they have grown.

I appreciate its very hard work. Good luck I do hope you enjoy your time with them.

Ps if you have a Hobbycraft anywhere near they do some excellent craft kits for children with everything you need in one box. Invaluable on a rainy day.

It does feel daunting minimo, so don't feel bad about that. I agree, don't expect a tidy home and also don't pack the days too much. Children, even boys, like some down time.

If you don't have toys ask their parents to bring some favourite ones with them. Ask them to remember to pack anything the children take to bed. If you have a suitable garden some outside toys are good, or consider buying something like garden skittles, good for all ages and less damage than a football. Otherwise think simple - helping with cooking, making a den in the garden with a blanket or three, go to story time at your library, see if there are council or Church run activities they can join, a local museum you would all enjoy. Let them help with dusting and hoovering, mine loved to help with the garden, little ones are closer to the ground and are useful for closely supervised weeding. .

Ours liked to see the animals at the local garden centre, I liked the sit down in the cafe afterwards . If your OH has health restrictions get him to be in charge of all things that involve sitting down, so books, jigsaws, colouring, simple construction, supervising tv watching and any technical stuff they are allowed. Keep food simple, prepare as much as you can in advance.

You can do it! The children, even at three, can understand their grandparents have physical limitations and will adapt if explanations are given. If the three year old uses a pushchair at times make sure their parents being one. Even if he walks the ousxhair can carry coats and 'stuff'. Yes, you will be tired but it will be so much fun, there will be cuddles and laughter and the boys will remember their week with love.

Having DGS on 3 days but do have aDH to help.
I think it's our task to teach him to ride his bike so as I still work 4 days a week I expect to be completely **** by the end of the hols.
Play doh is popular here, it means you can be quiet and have a sit down. We do have ours regularly so have plenty of toys etc. Could you borrow some from a friend if you need to?

I have only been asked to have 6 year old for two days so should be able to cope but I do find it really tiring if any longer (and I'm quite a fit 71 year old!).

No particular suggestions minimo except to not feel guilty if you let them watch tv or play on an iPad when you need to re-gain your strength or your nerves are frazzled! Don't be too ambitious about taking them out (apart from the local playground to try to tire them out). And try not to worry that your home may look like a bomb hit it for a week - leave the tidying up until after the children have gone home.