Grandparents Babysitting Guide

As a grandparent in training, Our little guy is five weeks old. My husband and I have been getting into practice for some time. Sunday morning as a mother of a tiny baby was walking to communion I got a brilliant idea. "Get that baby, you will get more out of the service holding a baby than writing a Christmas Hub". I felt like a football player trying to get to the quarterback, but I got there and offered to hold the baby. This mommy was tired, so I got the baby and I was in heaven. She got to sit for forty-five minutes without anyone asking her a question or crying.

Because of my success with the baby in church, a young couple asked if my husband and I could come to their house and babysit. We had a blast. Holding babies is wonderful.

I have no idea what has gotten into me lately. I didn't like babies all that much when I was younger.* Somehow being a grand parent has made me loopy.

• When you ask if you may hold a baby stay very close to mom. In this day and age everyone is suspicious.
• Holding babies in church can get you other gigs. After church a young gal I know asked if I could babysit for their bible study. She told my husband he could come too.
• Always bring a helper if there are going to be three babies under the age of 9 months. My husband loves babies, it's kids he doesn't like. He supposedly needed just as much training as I did. But he's still a pro.
• Brush up on lullabies or have a calming CD.
• Be very calm, relax and enjoy. Showing parents you are capable, calms them. Today's parents, unless accustom to small children, are very nervous.
• Do not take pictures, of your grandchildren or other people babies and post them on Face Book, without the parents permission. I was chatting with another young mother at church and she was wondering if she was being hyper sensitive that some of the teenagers were photographing her children and posting them on Face Book. She is not being hyper sensitive. I may need to write a hub on why this is not a good idea. Let us say don't do it with out permission
• Say,"No" if you can't or don't want to babysit for your grand baby. We had that rule with my mom and it freed her to have a social life. This is practicing boundary skills.
• Say "Yes" often enough your kids will ask you to babysit.
• Get into shape. Be sure to lift weights.Being fit is vital to carrying a baby. A ten pound baby is like carrying ten pound of flour.

Don't do something just because you did it with your own kids. The new parents of today are very particular about what their children do and don't do. A the coffee shop this evening a young couple and tiny girl were with grandma. Grandma asked, "Do you want the crayons from the restaurant". Mom replied,, "Thanks for asking me". Then she mouthed we don't have paper. I have it on the best of authorities that napkins at coffee shops work just fine for writing and coloring. I think grandma knew that too. Regardless of what it is be sensitive of your kids desires. You did a good job with you children and they will do a good job with your grand children. Loving your grandchildren and backing their parents will make you a wonderful baby sitter.

*My children say,"Mom you told us never to lie. You said in the beginning of this hub,'You didn't used to like kids', Mother that is a lie. You have advocated for children, taught children and loved children for as long as we can remember". Make a mental note don't lie, Your children will rat you out.