Do you feel guilty if not minding your grandchildren?

I read all of your answers here and agree with every one whole heartily.

I am the Nana of 6 grand children and my husband of 58 years comes first.We live for each other.

My hubby had open heart surgery yesterday. I could have lost him.God knows we love our grand kids.

My children don't expect us to take care of their kids. Their grand parents didn't take care of them

You are not selfish, so put on your happy face & don't even mention the word guilty to anyone. Enjoy !

Grandparents are special people who fulfil a free will role of comfort and love to their children's children.

You are not there to be used as free child care unless of course that's what you want. Parents can always take less holidays and spend more time at home.

I have none though lol so don't listen to me. I'm really looking forward to all that.

My own mother looked after one of my children twice. The first time was when my second son was born and the second was when we went to a wedding and half way through when I rang to see all was ok, she demanded I came home because my two year old had trodden in dogs mess in the garden and she was cross because he had trodden it on the carpet.

She never had my children again, she didn't want them. So I'm pretty sure your children will be thankful for anything you do in the long run.

How lovely to have a Mum like you.

They will be fine for a month. Use Skpe.

I don't have grandchildren yet...but even if I did...I still work full-time on the afternoon shift and don't have that option anyway. If I was retired, I might consider it...but that's because I'm divorced and don't have a mate, not to mention a beautiful holiday home to go to with them. But I can assure you that if I did...I wouldn't hesitate to go as often and for as long as possible. With all due respect, whoever is doing the squawking about not committing to the children is being manipulative and selfish...this is your time...enjoy it.

As a grandmother of five children I would say that you should take that month with your husband. You both deserve it. I have done the job of a grandmother well, and have been taken advantage of at times. The reason is because I was too paranoid to have anyone else watch them. This doesn't mean that I was wrong, but if I had a place to go to for a month with just my husband and I, I would go for it. We need to realize that our children are the ones who decided to have children and therefore it is their responsibility to make sure they are in good hands. Don't let them put you on a guilt trip. You and your husband have worked hard enough to get this break. Take it easy.

Definitely NO - I never feel guilty. My parents didn't bring up my children for me - and I've made sure that my own children know that I'm not here to bring up their children. I'm the Grandma, not the babysitter. I love my grandies, of course ! And I have stepped in when their parents have been ill, having another baby, etc. But I'm not the permanent baby sitter. I see grandparents at the shopping centre, in their 60's and 70's with kids hanging off them and they are obviously doing their daughter's grocery shopping....what a drudge.

Spend that precious time with your husband - you've both made the sacrifices, now its time for you to spend time together. I know he'd understand, if you decided to look after the children instead.....he's a nice guy....but put it this way, you have a limited amount of time with him. We are all in that situation now. We are not going to live forever. Spend those lovely days with him., and make him feel really special. You'll never regret it.

Nope. Your first loyalty is to your husband. They should not be putting guilt on you, and you should not be accepting it. Or trying not to. It probably feels like that if you do what you want, they'll be angry at you and you won't get to see your grandchildren? That's emotional blackmail.

Try to talk to them calmly, if not possible then write a short calm letter. Explaining that you've been waiting many years for the freedom to take a holiday and that while you love your grandchildren, you need the freedom to plan vacations. To put in perspective, many ladies and men wish they had taken the vacation before they lost their spouse.

You have to remain firm and take your holiday when you want to and for as long as you want to,its your time now,you bought up your children and you will be happy to help out and see your grand children,but you are not to be at their beck and call. When i retired my son assumed that i would be picking up my grand daughter from school every day,i had to put them right, i help out when i can and i see her most saturdays,you have to lay the ground rules now, be firm,loving and fair! The grand children will survive a month without you,they have 2 parents each! good luck.

You and your husband need time for each other and that is more important.

It is touching that you give so much time to your grandchildren.

So, you need not feel guilty taking time out with your husband.

I am sure, your children will understand and encourage you two,

for an outing to spend Quality time with each other.

You raised your kids, now your kids should raise their own kids! If they require a baby sitter let them hire one. You , are only required to love those kids, not raise them or be obligated to give up your Holiday time for them. Tell your kids, if you can't enjoy yourselves now , when will you? There will come a time in your life, you will be good if you can take care of yourself. Will your kids give up their free time to help and care for you? Now is the time for you to get some enjoyment out of life , so do so and don't feel guilty.

Im optimistic they does no longer decide to be sure You go through With a new child when you consider which you tried To lead them to chuffed. it is your existence, You have been Their Miracle so that they choose the perfect for you like all be sure Does yet only As undesirable. they only long to hold Your First toddler, Their Grand toddler, yet such as you They understand Time Is working Out and that they try to hint That To You. whilst The Time is powerful You circulate forward and have As Many toddlers As you like =] X