Disinterested in grandchild

I don't really get this. Surely if you and your husband only saw your granddaughter once or twice a year as you say you want to, and never go to her house or have her over at yours, you wouldn't be seeing your daughter either? Or have I misunderstood?

I don't think its automatic to be enthralled by children.
I never have been and never will be.
I have said before, the love for my grandchildren was a very, very slow burn.

We have no control on how we feel only what we do. You say the right things and although you do not want to have anything to do with children you do, that is all you can do so no need to feel bad.

well said Melanie, the voice of reason.

You can't help how you feel. Maybe you'll find it easier when she gets bigger and perhaps, to you, more interesting.

I am sure you are always kind and loving to your grandchild and that's the main thing.

I'm so sad for you Paula , but if that's how you feel , that's how you feel.

I also feel terribly sad for your granddaughter too, the relationship with a grandparent is so very different from being a parent. I think keeping in contact is the essential thing. Perhaps you will feel differently when she is older.

The time I spend with my 11 yr old granddaughter is priceless . We chat about everything , she wants to learn to cook and sew and knit ( all things her busy Mum is really too busy to undertake). I shall miss her when she gets too old for our sleepovers.

Keep the contact. Presents & card on birthday and Christmas, cards on other special occasions, and a postcard from Granny on holiday.
Oh, and when you have seen her, £5 pocket money when you leave.
Sounds mercenary, but it works .
Just be consistent!

‘Hard and unenjoyable’

If you found being a mother ‘hard and enjoyable’ then there’s not much chance of you enjoying a grandchild.

Maw I love your 'typos R us ' comment, made me chuckle.

It's very hard to admit that Paula when as you say women are supposed to be hard wired to feeling maternal.
Not all of us feel that way, I love my children and grandchildren but that does not mean I want to be with them all the time. I am so glad I didn't have to do the amount of child care some people on GN seem to do. I would much rather work away from the home than do child care.
Don't feel bad about this, relax and enjoy the short spells you share and get on with your life. Don't shut them out though as you may find you enjoy their company more as they get older.

#typosRus - but you know what I meant I hope.

work!!! Not “eork”

You may have to eork at loving her*Paula*.
We expect our grandchildren to love us, but why should they? They usually reflect the love we have for them and return our interest and affection many times over, especially when they are little.
Can she sense your cool attitude?
How hurtful could that be to an enthusiastic and trusting three year old?
I feel very sad for both of you and for what you are missing.
My mother wasn’t great with small children and I feel she lost out on the close relationship our children had with their other granny.
All I would hope is that as an adult who loves her daughter you can find it in your heart to try hatder.

I had a granny much like you paula I can’t say it did me any harm.

Cards were sent and the odd visit and things were always cordial, she was always pleasant to me.

You don’t miss what you didn’t have, I was never bothered that we weren’t close.

I don't see a problem, visit your daughter as you choose and have as little interaction with your grand daughter as you choose. I really can't relate to all the gushing granny's seem to do or their needs. We're all different and that's a good thing imo. Does your daughter think it's a problem?

Paula, I am sure you are not alone in this and it must be a relief to admit it. However, as always in life, we sometimes need to make compromises.

You have the courage to admit the problem, now look for solutions. Could you cope with seeing her for a day every couple of months alternating between your daughters house and yours. It would only be six or seven times a year, so should be bearable.

Do you keep in regular contact with your daughter? Perhaps doing that on a weekly basis and asking about you GD and seeing photos will also enable you to seem interested without contact. You do not say how your DH feels about seeing his GD so little.

Life is one long compromise in so many ways, surely you can cope with this one.