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Grandparenting

Empty nest grandparents

(4 Posts)
Jules2000 Fri 31-Jul-26 18:18:49

We are feeling so sad as our little grandson is about to start school. We have been looking after him once a week for 3 years since he turned 1.
He has given us so much joy and helped us adjust to retirement but now he's off on a new journey and we are trying to come to terms with a different routine. I never felt this way when my own children started school and couldn't wait for them to have new experiences. This feels different and kind of leaves us feeling sad. Anyone else been through this?

love0c Fri 31-Jul-26 18:21:57

It is a dreadful feeling. Are you able to collect him from school one day a week?

Jules2000 Fri 31-Jul-26 18:45:17

Yes absolutely and we intend to...I think it just feels like the end of an era. We have two other grandchildren but they live quite a long way from us so although we love them, we don't have the same connection as our little one we have been looking after. I'm trying to be positive but am wondering how long it will be before he's not so interested in us anymore. He has an amazing relationship with his grandad so I'm hoping it will carry on.

Luckygirl3 Fri 31-Jul-26 19:01:52

In the same situation we carried on with helping on the same day but that help involved picking them up from school and giving them their tea, which was lovely - and then we were back to the original regime in the school holidays, so we still saw lots of them and built on the early relationship we had established.