Caring for grandchild.

As others have said create your own routine. Relax, enjoy and savour every minute. BUT if he does do any of the special milestones while with you DON'T let on! He will do it again soon after and it's important for the parents to see the 'firsts'.

May I suggest a large photo of Mummy where he can see it, may be a comfort to him.

Not wooden boxes. Cardboard! From supermarkets. OAP mode today!

If the library is open the day you are there and not too far it might have a children's library and they have a toy area. Also often run story time or music sessions or know where those take place.

He is probably getting to the age when they like playing with saucepans and spoons and making a noise or pretending to cook. An unbreakable plate or bowl too. I used to get large wooden boxes and draw a stove on one standing on end. The hob, or lying down it can be a car or train if you do wheels. A big plastic stable cloth down and plasticine or playdoh keeps they happy and for this age actually some magazines to tear up and look at pictures and paper and fat crayons to scribble.

Fill the day with a morning activity ( mother and toddlers' group) then home for lunch and a nap, then an afternoon visit to the park, craft/shopping/cooking/swimming activity or make friends with a similar grandparent in the same position and invite them round.

You will have such a brilliant time. I still look for age appropriate puzzles, books etc in charity shops to ring the changes re fun things to do. The park is wonderful on a dry day too.

I find letting my latest grandson aged 2 lead the play works best. But relaxing is the key. Have a lovely time.

Wren5. You will be absolutely fine, don't panic. I look after my 17month old grandson for 10hrs on a Tuesday. He settles after his mum has gone to work. I play with him for a while then take him out to a garden centre for lunch which he loves. He has a sleep for a while. I sit in the afternoon and have lots of cuddles whilst he watches his favourite children's program. If you can be there at any bath time I find that a lovely time to connect, blowing bubbles and playing. Please don't worry just enjoy.

Wren5 my SIL drives 3 hours to her daughter's house every Sunday afternoon, spends Monday looking after toddler and baby grandsons, returns very early Tuesday morning. She's got a brilliant relationship with her grandchildren now.

I look after my three year old dgs one day a week, and even now, sometimes he gets upset when it’s time to say goodbye to mum. This usually happens if he’s not feeling well for instance. But they all seem to go through clingy stages.
Occasionally, he cries for about half an hour, and no amount of hugs or distractions will soothe him.
It always passes though.
Of course, it’s distressing for us grans. And I get a bit stressed when I can’t console him. But usually they are ok.
As I know you will be, Wren5.

Distraction is a huge help whilst you and DGS settle into a new routine. Try to have some 'new' things to do to take his mind off where Mum and Dad have gone - I had a blow up paddling pool in my living room filled with playballs - my DGS and DGD's loved playing in it and it kept them distracted, especially the whole process of getting it out of the cupboard, blowing it up, filling it with the balls. I read to them (still have some of their baby books) and sang nursery rhymes to them (saucepans and the metal lids along with a wooden spoon make great instruments) - there are lots of little things you can do to make the time pass by.

Oh and I also suggest a regular place to go e.g. playgroup. One that you find he enjoys. Then it will be something he looks forward for doing with you each week. X

Hi I look after all my Grand children but I am a child minder so am used to it. I would suggest if it's possible to go over the night before and stay there. It will take away the stress of driving and worrying about being on time. Also will be better for little one seeing you there first thing. Good luck x

Watching this thread with interest as I hope to be doing a day a week grandchildcare in future!

In the first couple of weeks I would make a time plan with your daughter to ensure that his mind is stimulated. Lots of outings, going on a bus, train, park, library or just for a walk. You don’t have to be out of the house for very long but I would go maybe twice a day just to begin with. If he gets fretful, pop him in his buggy and with an excited voice tell him where you are going. I find little ones are a bit like dogs, in that they don’t understand the words, but get their cues from tone and facial expression.

Ask your daughter if he has an easy coat to put on as some children hate getting dressed in outdoor clothes like snow suits. Anything that will minimise stress for you both.

Work out a daily routine for sleep, meals and playtime, make sure that you rest when he does. Don’t try to fit in jobs while he is resting. You might be surprised at how exhausted you feel.

At one year old, play time will be more sensory than than anything else. Get some play sand, put it in a washing up bowl with lots of different containers and this will amuse him. Similarly a bowl of water on the kitchen floor. Ask you daughter to provide plenty of changes of clothes. Lastly don’t underestimate the power of CBeebies. My GCs did not like going upstairs to rest, but a pillow and a bottle on the sofa with the night garden had them snoring in seconds.

I am sure that very soon he will be coming to you without fretting. The secret is routine and stimulation.

Thank you BlueBelle, I will try my best to introduce fun, new things for us to do/play together, I love the sound of the big cardboard box for a car/spaceship & blowing bubbles, they will definately be on my fun list to do.

Oh and best advice of all dont worry when he cries all baby’s cry its a normal way of communicating crying won’t harm him a cuddle and distraction are the answer

Wren don’t be nervous your nervousness will impinge on him,and a child, like an animal is better with a confident career he will pick up your anxieties and in turn he will feel anxious
Have a lot for him to do especially outside wrapped up warm a playpark, so he can toddle around with other kids, a ball if he s walking etc, feeding the ducks I found a big cardboard box or linen basket became a car a bus a spaceship babies love Peekaboo and blowing bubbles
He ll be in his own home so have familiar toys and surroundings and his own cot / bed to have naps in

You ll be completely fine and enjoy it, with all my grandkids teens now I can tell you it goes in a flash

Thank you all for all your messages, I so appreciate you taking the time to give me so much advice. Yes, I think one day a week at the moment will be enough, because I will be looking after GS at my son's house, which is about 45 minute's from where I live, also it involves driving over a mountain, which in bad weather can be a bit scary ( snow, rain, fog) there is no compromise with GS coming to my house so I have to travel there to babysit . I live in South East Wales & there are quite a lot of steep mountains/ Valleys to travel to reach son's house. Hopefully by the time baby sitting duties start, the weather will be much better

All good advice here and taking him out for walks in the buggy. You both get fresh air and exercise then. You may meet other grans doing the same thing.

I have always firmly stuck to one day a week plus some occasional emergency cover. For me more than that would be too much I think. So do think carefully before taking on extra days if asked! You need to think about what is right for you. But enjoy the one day a week and see how it goes. Someone mentioned baby music classes.. Its worth doing a search in your local ara , there are often baby singing groups and such like plus toddler soft play. You can just pop in and pay as you go for many of them

You'll be fine Wren - I looked after DGS for 5 x 11-12 hour days per week from the age of 4 months - my DD was born over 40 years ago so I was even more out of practice than you, it just comes naturally. He's 2 now but I have only just joined our first playgroup as it's not my scene at all but they have a lot of space and ride on toys so I can cope for 2 hours per week for his sake. I have always taken him to baby music classes once a week as that's more structured. He goes to nursery for 2 days a week now but I'm still his first port of call when he gets back. You will end up very close to him - probably the one day per week will gradually creep up anyway ?

Ooh yes, bus rides were always a great success as my GC always went by car with their parents.

Wren I am sure it will be fine, he'll soon get used to the routines.

Thank you all for your messages, I really appreciate all your sound advice, I will take onboard all your suggestions & not get to anxious if my GS doe's get a little fretful at first, as you all say, it's going to be a different experience for him being looked after for a long period of time by Nanny but there are thing's we can start introducing up until his mother return's to work, thank you all for taking the time to reply x

Like Urmstongran says you sound like a lovely Grandma Wren5.
Just a thought but do you have a free bus pass yet?
Odd question I know, but when we started looking after two of our GC we used to take them out for a ride on a bus! It was an adventure for them as they travel everywhere by car these days.
It also meant that DH and I didn't have too much carrying of heavy children or their accompanying equipment!
Until the age of five they travel free so bus rides cost us nothing meaning we could stop off for the occasional ice cream etc. without it becoming a financial problem as well.
Good luck - I am sure you will be fine. Baby will soon gets used to it and a world of adventures awaits you!

Don’t worry too much wren your grandson is just behaving in an age appropriate way. Totally agree with others, build up the time you have with him, whether at your home or his. Understand his routine food likes and dislikes, favourite toys, routine for naps. If he comes to your home ask his Mum or Dad to chat happily with him about staying with you while Mummy goes to work. You obviously care deeply for him and want him to be happy, your instincts are sound, please try not to be overly anxious around him as he will react to your anxiety. If you relax with him I’m sure your grandson will be happy once he is used to his new routine.