Any hippie grandparents raising grandkids?

[dynocat]

We've had our 16 year old grandson the past 9 months. I raised two girls so a boy is a whole different experience. Definitely a few ups and downs--depends on which day it is. I've learned a lot of new lingo, for sure.

One funny: he wishes he'd been a teen in the 60's! I tell him, "not with my parents, you wouldn't have!" :lol

The whole Woodstock anniversary has him pretty excited. We picked up a few Woodstock era t-shirts that he loves--Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, tie dye Peace symbol, etc. In the short time he's been here he's moved on from solely listening to rap to classic rock and reggae. Can't quite get him to dig folk music yet! :lol

If anyone likes reggae, check out SOJA (Soldiers of Jah Army),http://www.sojamusic.com/band. There a video link at the bottom. My new favorite band.

Any other grandparents having a second go around at parenting?

[groovyacres]

How cool is that? No grandkids here yet, thank goodness. I am finally getting a bit of a breather after getting two to 18, not that they were so difficult. I was blessed with good boys. I am not ready for another go around though.

I have two boys. Once I borrowed the neighbor's 11 yr. old girl for the day to take her to a model horse show. She wore me out! Talk talk talk talk talk. I am not used to that being around only men. Heck there are days the only words I speak are to the animals or myself :). So I hear you on the differences!

[forrest]

I am an ass whole, I refuse to raise grand children! Wife sees it different???
I'll leave it at that for now, tell me why I'm wrong!

[groovyacres]

To each their own. My mother told me flat out she'd not raise any grandkids so I made sure I never burdened her with them. I don't know why she thought I'd try to dump them on her but then again she was forced to raise her siblings and then us so I can understand having enough. Additionally she has my father who is an alcoholic to deal with.

It all depends on the situation. I have taken in teenagers here that had parents who kicked them out of the house. Better that than on the street. At least they knew someone cared what happened to them. I cannot imagine what that does to a kid to have their parents throw them out.

Every opportunity must be allowed for the parents to raise their own kids but if that child is in danger one cannot just stand by and pretend it isn't happening.

[Pedata]

Once I borrowed the neighbor's 11 yr. old girl for the day to take her to a model horse show. She wore me out! Talk talk talk talk talk.

Girls will do that, won't they? Mercy. Now and then I watch a friend's girl, she's 11 now, I've been watching her since she was six. She will get on a talking jag that can last for an hour- a very one-sided conversation, she will NOT be interrupted. I've learned to tune it out, and just smile and nod occasionally lol, and it's still so tiring.

[dynocat]

I am an ass whole, I refuse to raise grand children! Wife sees it different???
I'll leave it at that for now, tell me why I'm wrong!

You called yourself the name. No one else. If it fits, wear it. If not why mention it?

Gee, get defensive much? Seriously who said you were wrong? To each their own. I just asked a question.

[yugogypsy]

I am an ass whole, I refuse to raise grand children! Wife sees it different???
I'll leave it at that for now, tell me why I'm wrong!

I won't be quite that rude, but I'll say politely that it makes you sound like a selfish person who considers that he's already done his bit by raising his kids.

You asked us to pray for your son . Forrest, I'm going to be praying for YOU.

You need to be more open-minnded and compassionate about grand kids!

I am also praying my daughter comes home-I didn't get to raise her and LOOK FORWARD GREATLY to being able to help with grandkids!

[Pedata]

Guess I'll poke my nose in here even tho I didn't even have kids to begin with.
I'm 53 years old and I cannot watch a baby for a whole day anymore. I just don't have the energy.
Two hours is my max.
Older kids are easier, but they still wear me out, even when they're being good.
It's the attention part. Paying attention, knowing where they are, what they doing, wondering why they're so quiet (that's usually a bad sign). It's exhausting.

I couldn't do it. Not at this time of life.

-Cass

[yugogypsy]

SELFISH, SELFISH, SELFISH---and unenlightened.

I had my one and only child at age 40 and I want her back so bad its killing me.!

[Pedata]

I'm not selfish, just practical and financially responsible. I know, very unpopular way to think.

-Cass

[NCW_Woodnymph]

I think part of the reason it's more exhausting for grandparents is that they pay more attention than parents. :D It's the difference between baby sitting and raising your own kids. As a parent you know where they are likely to get into trouble so you don't have to know every little thing they're doing and, since they're around you all the time, they don't ask for as much of your attention.

Cass, I think it's a shame you never had kids. You have so much wisdom they could have benefited from.

Gypsy, I know it's none of my business so feel free not to answer but I'm curious why you weren't able to raise your girl?

[Pedata]

I think part of the reason it's more exhausting for grandparents is that they pay more attention than parents. :D It's the difference between baby sitting and raising your own kids. As a parent you know where they are likely to get into trouble so you don't have to know every little thing they're doing and, since they're around you all the time, they don't ask for as much of your attention.

You're so right! And also it's easier to babysit in the child's home, where they've got all their stuff.
My home is not babyproofed, and it's not possible to do it without taking out a whole lot of things. Thor says the only way to babyproof it is to put in a playpen.

Thanks for the compliment :) I wish I'd had kids, I think I would have enjoyed it. Oh well, I have other people's kids.

-Cass

[yugogypsy]

I wasn't allowed to keep my daughter because I was too ill with systemic thrush to care for her properly and my partner was deemed incapable of raising a child on his own.

Also I had pressure from an ex-bf and the caseworker to give up, and when I was at 80 pounds and my Dr. refused to help me, I gave up.

My Dr. is an a**hole and I'm still sick because he won't listen to me. There are no other Dr's available or I'd change in a heartbeat.

I've told him I hated him, I quoted the "Do no Harm" section of the Hyppocratic oath and the Wiccan Rede at him and told him he could have done no greater harm if he tried and I told the damn worker she took away my reason for living!

I hate my Dr.! He left me sick so Child Services could take my kid and there's no 6 ways around it--and if I report him to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, he has 6 months to respond -and in that time he could falsify any of my records he wanted to, and call me a liar, so there's no point to that.

I'll get her back if I can ever get better, and it looks like I'm going to have to start yelling to see specialists if my damn Dr. won't do F-all.

Pardon the cussing but I know whose to blame and it ain't me.

Though because my sickness kept me away from visits the Child Services called me uncaring.

I was trying to get better and they kept knocking me down and by the time I was well enough for visits they said I wasn't allowed to go! Now does THAT make any kind of sense to you??

It sure don't to me. They are supposed to keep families together, not DELIBERATELY tear them apart:mad::mad:

Lois