Expectations Of Grandparents

Grandparents don’t have a ‘set’ role, where they know what their responsibilities are in the same way that parents do. Talk over with your adult children what you expect to do as a grandparent and what they would like you to do. Talk with them about:

• how often you will visit them or they will visit you
• how often you will ring, and when not to ring
• what babysitting you will do. Remember that what you do for the first grandchild may be expected for others. Childcare that you do unwillingly may not be a help to anyone. Be prepared to say if it is too much for you, or you need time to yourself. Looking after yourself might mean saying “No” sometimes
• what you can afford to do and want to…