How To Say No To Babysitting Family

The Art of Saying "NO"
How saying "no" can exist done out of love with honey...
a special feature from Kay & Leslie, Founders Grandparentslink

Okay grandparents, it's our nature not to say 'no'. After all, who likes to hear that? Not our grandchildren for certain: "just one more than cookie pleaseeeeeeeeeee!" and certainly non our grown children who enquire us to perform a multitude of tasks, often times forgetting that nosotros too accept busy full lives. "Can yous please babysit over again tonight?" or "Tin can't yous cancel your plans?"

Maxim 'no' is an expression of true love and consideration. Many times it'south benign for everyone, kids and parents akin ... and even for your relationships with your significant other. Haven't yous at least on 1 occasion said 'no' to that decadent dessert that just called to you on the bill of fare? Well, saying 'no' sounds the same when it comes into the grandparent corner. Try it. It tin earn you respect, dignity ... and promote thoughtfulness. We say, "Effort it -- y'all may like it ... one time in a while."

Here are a couple of tips!

Don't blitz in
If your kid (the parent) is trying to talk you into making some sort of big decision such equally: babysitting every weekend for the residuum of the summer, or planning a family holiday for anybody, make sure you take the fourth dimension and think over your plans commencement. Aye, we want to assist our children every style nosotros can, simply also remember, we need to have command over when we choose to help. Your child volition capeesh any assistance they receive!

Go on the big motion-picture show in mind
The grandparent-grandchild human relationship can exist magical. You need to nurture, protect and savor information technology, fifty-fifty if that means (occasionally) staying quiet when it practically kills you, or (occasionally) smiling serenely when you just know your grandchild is wrong and you are correct. And please forgive us for offer the extra hugs, cookies, phone calls or lunches. Remember what it is we're really offering: sweet, unconditional love.

Found boundaries
Try to maintain some boundaries, even just in your caput, equally y'all consider any new requests. Hither's an example ... Does your child think that you tin jet in on a moment's notice to attend a dance recital or baby-sit while they hop off to someplace exotic? Consider yourself lucky. On the other paw, those same parents might see popping in more often than they'd like as a problem. If that's happening, brand sure y'all give your child "pre-visit heads-up" (this also goes for hometown relatives) and accept accuse of the frequent house calls. Exercise this: "This weekend won't work, but how most sometime adjacent week?" And then say information technology.

Keep in touch
Not knowing what's going on tin make new grandparents nervous. Remember, the new parents are as anxious about the new family unit addition as you are. Make sure to let your kid know that you desire THEM to telephone call often and make full you in on your new grandchild. Learn how to utilise Skype, Grandma -- information technology'south free, and so you tin can coo and babble all you want while admiring the baby's beautiful confront ... from distant!!

Let your kids know you lot have a life besides
Grandparents are people too! Gone are the days of grandma and granddad sitting in rocking chairs waiting for their kids to call. According to the AARP'southward Grandparent Study Report, showtime-time grandparents are getting younger and younger -- virtually one-half are under l when they have their commencement grandchild. You lot son/daughter might recollect that your willingness to watch inferior on a moment's notice is not the case anymore. Grandparents are more likely than e'er to still be working full-time or enjoying a vigorous baby-boomer retirement with vacations and activities galore. Make sure to accept a respectful relationship with your kid and then that you and they tin can plan ahead if they need help.

Earlier on Huff/Post50: