When/how does grandparent day care work?

[Anonymous]

The other thread got me thinking. Any positive experiences?

[Anonymous]

Yes! What set-up do you have in mind?

[Anonymous]

When we do it, it's a very, VERY temporary situation. A few days here or there. I leave very specific instructions and prep food and snacks.

We both come up with ideas on what they can do with the kids for the day. It works because they respect my wishes re: food and scheduling and because it's always ONLY short-term each time we do it.

[Anonymous]

If you get free care, no rules.

[Anonymous]

We have a situation where it works. Key components:

- Grandpa is young but already retired (didn't retire just for this, but still in good health and energy to chase kids around)

- Dad has a flexible job/works 3 weekdays a week so it is only part-time care from Grandpa

- Both parents like the grandparents giving care, no in-law drama

- Live close together and mom does most of the drop off/pick up, no t a lot or driving for grandpa

- Grandparents are willing to keep extra kid stuff at their house (have a bedroom with a crib for all the grandkids, highchair, toys, etc)

- Similar parenting/child care philosophies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a situation where it works. Key components:

- Grandpa is young but already retired (didn't retire just for this, but still in good health and energy to chase kids around)

- Dad has a flexible job/works 3 weekdays a week so it is only part-time care from Grandpa

- Both parents like the grandparents giving care, no in-law drama

- Live close together and mom does most of the drop off/pick up, no t a lot or driving for grandpa

- Grandparents are willing to keep extra kid stuff at their house (have a bedroom with a crib for all the grandkids, highchair, toys, etc)

- Similar parenting/child care philosophies

This sounds awesome!

[Anonymous]

Part time works best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a situation where it works. Key components:

- Grandpa is young but already retired (didn't retire just for this, but still in good health and energy to chase kids around)

- Dad has a flexible job/works 3 weekdays a week so it is only part-time care from Grandpa

- Both parents like the grandparents giving care, no in-law drama

- Live close together and mom does most of the drop off/pick up, no t a lot or driving for grandpa

- Grandparents are willing to keep extra kid stuff at their house (have a bedroom with a crib for all the grandkids, highchair, toys, etc)

- Similar parenting/child care philosophies

My friend had this set up with both sets of grandparents. The grandparents would often volunteer to keep the kids overnight on Fridays, so the couple could have a date night!

[Anonymous]

20:23 here - one other thing I forgot to mention - Mom is a teacher, so she has summers off so it is part-time and not year-round.

[Anonymous]

My mom used to watch my first child while DH and I worked.

I planned a daily activity for them and my mom would take DS. i.e. Mon Music, Tues Gymboree, Wed Library, etc. My mom would take DS on stroller walks and the park/playground in the afternoon. Childcare part was fine.

What I did not appreciate was the unsolicited advice. She is still my mom and can't help nag me.

When my second child was born, we hired an amazing nanny. Nanny was a professional nanny. She listened to me and my son adored her.

[Anonymous]

My mom gets our kids from school on Fridays and keeps them til Saturday and has done for about 4 years. Kids love it and so do we. They cook, play games, watch jeopardy, swim once the pool opens. No hard feelings of she needs to cancel because she needs a break or if we cancel be used kids are sick. It's a standing date they all love. We can see it lasting through middle school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My mom gets our kids from school on Fridays and keeps them til Saturday and has done for about 4 years. Kids love it and so do we. They cook, play games, watch jeopardy, swim once the pool opens. No hard feelings of she needs to cancel because she needs a break or if we cancel be used kids are sick. It's a standing date they all love. We can see it lasting through middle school.

What a beautiful tradition. Your children are lucky, they'll have so many wonderful memories to treasure.