How much time do your children spend with grandparents?
By Krysha
@Krysha (48)
United States
December 6, 2006 10:00pm CST
My husband and I have 3 kids. 10,7 and 4. And honestly almost every weekend they are at either my parents house or my mom in laws house. Now we as parents don't ask the grandparents to take the kids - but instead the grandparents are asking us if they can pick the kids up. Our parents are extremly attached to our kids and love to have them. They spoil them at times or just hang out at their house playing. Believe me we enjoy our weekends with the kids and enjoy all the free time we get with just us as a couple because our parents are so involved but honestly - how much time do you think is normal for grandparents and do you think the kids can be away from you too much?
10 people like this
71 responses
@chalmette69 (3007)
• United States
7 Dec 06
It is the same way with my daughter, and I think it is great, it gives your child a chance to bond with them and me a break sometimes, my daughter loves it and I think it is great for my husband and I to have some free time as well, I mean don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my daughter, but sometimes everyone needs a break.
1 person likes this
@shirgie (230)
• United States
7 Dec 06
While it is possible for your kids to be away from you too much, thank the good Lord you have two set of Grandparents wanting to spend time with your kids. I am assuming that they are good, responsible people. My kids don't have any grandparents to spend much time with. My mom passed away, my dad then got married and moved, and hubbies parents are 200 miles away. Both sets of gps are older too and have less patience with kids than younger ones do. If you mean what is normal by what is healthy, you have to observe the results and judge for yourself. There is a good balance and I wouldn't be surprised at all if things are just as they should be in your situation.
@SimplyMe (373)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I wish my kids (14, 11, 7, & 5) could spend more time with their grandparents. My parents live only an hour and a half away, but my kids only see them about every two or three months, sometimes longer. My in-laws live four hours away and always seems to be reluctant to initiate contact with the girls, now my father-in-law is in a nursing home and doesn't recognize them and my mother-in-law is so wrapped up in her husband's health troubles that she can't really even think about spending time with the kids. My husband and I have longed for either set of parents to spend time with them, but it just doesn't work out very often.
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Let the kids spend as much time with grandparents as they wish, and you feel comfortable with. As long as the grandparents are upholding the values you want for your kids, it can only benefit them. Just be sure that you also have quality time with them. As a grandparent, I can tell you that the love between grandparents and granchildren is one of unconditional love, and we won't be around forever! I can honestly say I didn't really know what love was until my grandchildren were born!
@Talianna (85)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Well, lets see. I have no kids. However, my OLDEST sisters' do. I still live with my mom, so, I know how often their grandkids visit them. My oldest sister kids (12 and 9) came for almost the whole summer this year, and they stay when my sister has to work at the hospital (though, she quit that job.) We see them from time to time. My middle sister's kids (lives down the road from us) (11 and 3), she will come over... her mom is a little weird about her staying some where for too long. Sometimes I'll ask her to stay over and hang out with me. (My niece is by far the most smartest 11 year old... and sometimes very emo). Because, my niece has lots of afterschool activitys, my 3 year old nephew will come over to the house for a little wile and such.
@janet069 (663)
• United States
7 Dec 06
My grandparents kept me while my parents worked and still I would often ask to spend the night. It was a very special time in my life. Grandparents are very special to kids and also can be a great influence on them. I know that mine were. All too soon the day will come when your children will have to say good-bye to them. Your children know and love you as their parents but their relationship with their grandparents are entirely different. Do not discourage them, they will probably grow up to be better adults because of that relationship.
@jennifer20000 (3)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I think that it is important to spend time with their relatives, because you really don't know how much time they have let on this earth. But if the kids aren't tired of them coming over then I wouldn't see the problem in it. But if they do spend so much time together then what would happen if they got into an accident, then they would be too attached to that grandparent. They might get their heart broken, so I would just limit them to how long they can stay or when they come over for the weekend.
@usmcsgtwife (4997)
• United States
7 Dec 06
before they were at my paretns about every weekdnd now that we live 2100 miles it;s hard
@michele609 (1687)
• United States
7 Dec 06
My mom is the babysitter why I am at work so they see her a real lot!
@Kylalynn (1771)
• South Africa
7 Dec 06
I think its great that your kids grandparents enjoy spending time with them. A grandparent plays a very important role in grandchildrens lives. Its also nice for you and your husband to have a bit of time alone together. Most grandparents enjoy spending time with their grandchildren,but if you are worried it is too much time away from you. Then discuss a time limit or dates. Hope everything works out ok!
@hockeygal4ever (10021)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Their time varies a lot but they always see them at least once a week. Right now daily as we had our car totalled and they drive my eldest to school and work for me! Thank GOD for my parents!
@vssornavel (978)
• India
7 Dec 06
try to put more time on children to grandparents this makes a better mind health for the children ..they have the capacity to store all in their mind in their early age
@nobodyspecial (1011)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I can only say I wish I would have had more time with my grandmother...
Maybe making up a schedule grandparents taking some weekends you others. Planning events for your time.
I said this a long time ago and I will say it to my dieing day.
I am today, my children are tomorrow, my parents are both our yesterdays. Don't take away my history, it helped make me who I am.
@s1n2a3k4e580 (222)
• China
8 Dec 06
I don't have children right now. For my experience, I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents until I went to elementary school cause my parents have to work, and they don't have enought time to take care of me. But, I really don't think you should let your kids spend too much time with your parents. Sometimes, grandparents love their grandchildren too much and they always give whatever the children want and spoil them. It is really bad for the kids. So, you should spend more time with your kids.
@pamzammit1 (61)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
I SPEND AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF TIME WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN BECAUSE I LOVE THEM DEARLY. MY CHILDREN DO NOT SPEND MUCH TIME WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS AS MY FATHER IS DECEASED AND HE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO SHOWED AN INTEREST IN THEM. THEY STILL THINK THE WORLD OF HIM. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR CHILDREN TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THEIR GRANDPARENT'S LIVES.
@AlmightyBigfoot888 (553)
• United States
8 Dec 06
let the grandparents spend time with the kids, although if it gets to feel like too much time, politely tell your parents that you had already planned the day with your kids, and that you are unable to change plans.
remember, be nice and polite about it :)
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
8 Dec 06
Well my mother spends a lot of time with my kids but that is because she helps me with them! My mother in law... I just created a big discussion on that as you probably know, is at most seeing those kids ONCE a week and that is it!! Even that is being too nice...
@Etharon (217)
• Malaysia
8 Dec 06
I have to boys aged 2 and 2 months old. I must says I envy you for being able to let your kids spent so much time with them. Our parents live 4 hrs away and we hardly ever go back to see them with our busy schedule and all. I think that it is great to have grandparents around your kids as long as you are the ones who set ground rules regarding discipline issues. Like eating at the table and bed times...etc
I remember as a child, I adored my grandparents.
@dementia88 (900)
• United States
8 Dec 06
i have 2 kids 6 and 4 months and i let them see there granmother once a month. not every weekend. because i think we need some family time. the weekdays are busyy with school and work. I would really miss my weekends with them if they werent here every weekend.
