Our daughter wed not long ago, choosing a young man of good sense, though he hailed from modest beginnings.
When my father betrayed us, my stepmother wrenched me from the hellish depths of the orphanage.
I did warn you to stop after your third child, didnt I? I even went out and got you those special tablets
Why I Don’t Want to Leave My Children with Their Grandmothers
I’m 31 years old, a full-time mum raising two daughters aged 3 and 1 by choice—and here’s why.
When I had my first child, I naively assumed the grandmothers would naturally step in to help. In reality, they were more of a hindrance than a help, and I found myself managing on my own.
Here’s how it went for me:
After my daughter’s birth, and especially once we got home, I felt completely helpless—not knowing where to even start with a newborn. What seems basic to me now, after two kids, felt overwhelming back then.
Naturally, there weren’t any “instructions” on caring for a baby written in my head!
I expected the older generation to have all the answers—how to change, bathe, feed, trim nails, and care for a baby. But it quickly became clear their advice conflicted—even about bath time!
Over time, I mastered nappies and more, and I’m grateful to both my mum and mother-in-law. They still make me smile with their very “British granny” advice:
Granny 1 (my mum-in-law):
– Recite a prayer over the bath water and only let the child drink that!
– Six months later, I bought a water filter.
– Only use grey soap on the baby, and apply it to any rash.
– Your children are poorly because you’re raising them “wrong” (though never clear why!).
– If your baby cries, take them to a local “healer”—that’ll fix it.
Granny 2 (my mum):
– Babies crying? Ignore it—it’ll pass.
– Fever? Give paracetamol, problem solved.
– You buy them far too many toys, you know.
– I can babysit Saturdays at 1pm, but only until 4—then I’m off to the cinema!
– Sweets and salty snacks for the baby? Why not, start at 6 months. Let them try anything if they reach for it.
I love my mum but I do now question a lot about my own upbringing! There were times I was left with my gran and subsisted on pasta all day, while at home it was always fatty foods. My coughs were sometimes ignored until I ended up ill…and now I understand my tummy troubles as an adult!
The bottom line is: I get on with our grannies, but I can’t imagine leaving my kids with them for more than a few hours. Closely supervised? Sure. But am I overprotective? Maybe—but I’m just not comfortable with the alternative! Let me tell you why I simply cant bring myself to leave my kids with their grandmothers. Im 31 and have
Nothing, dear Mum! Youve got your own house, havent you? Thats where you live. And dont come here unless
Is this what youre looking for? she held out the letter to him. Nick paled. Claire, you…
Is this what youre looking for? she held out the letter to him. Nick paled. Claire, you…
Sent Away to the Care Home Dont start with that, Maisie, dont even say it! Margaret Mary Alcott swatted
A Nanny for My Brother Whats wrong, Julia? Still not replying? Shes not! Not a word from her since six oclock!
I had always held out hope that my mum would retire, move to the countryside, and leave the spacious
