Diary of A Modern Gran | Granny Gets Magnetic

By Jane Corry

Illustration: Istockphoto

It’s raining cats and dogs. Actually this is quite appropriate as we’re making a cat magnet as we speak.

It’s George’s choice. Rose has gone for a fetching gold giraffe.

Let me explain.

Unlike the smarter grannies on the block in our part of the world, I failed to book anything dry for half term. As a result, all the local entertainment (within twenty miles that is), is booked up. That includes the bowling rink and the pottery place where you can sit for hours and paint crockery. It’s very popular with children and adults alike. I’ve tried it and it soothes the nerves marvellously.

Right now, my nerves are more than frazzled. There’s only so much you can do with two lively children within four walls. Rain fever seems to have taken over Rose aged seven and George five. They are racing round the house as if they’ve had swallowed far too many additives. (This is quite possible.)

So I get them to wrap up and we start walking into town.

“The rain is hurting my face,” says George.

He has a point. The sea is also roaring like a lion, thrashing against the promenade. I don’t want to go any closer.

So we go back home and get into the car which is unknown for me considering the short distance into town. Then we can’t find a parking space because everyone else is doing the same. Eventually I see someone vacating a space. We nip in and head for one of the shops that sells arty kits and toys. Rose chooses a friendship bracelet set and George a magnet one.

This makes the selection process sound much easier than it is. In reality, it’s a compromise between what they want and what I think is suitable – not to mention something that’s within my half-term budget.

When we get home (and dry off), Rose opens the friendship bracelet set. “I’m going to give one each to…”

Then she lists all her best friends.

“Can you show me how to make one, Gan Gan?”

Oh oh. I’ve never been great at threading and plaiting. After half an hour, I give up.

So we go onto the magnet set instead. What a joy! The instructions are clear for a simpleton like me. There are some lovely pictures which you put a oval shaped glass on, cut round, glue, stick a magnet on and… wow. This looks really good!

Rose and George are triumphant. So am I! We stick them on the fridge and photograph them for Mummy and Daddy to show our work progress. “It’s like being back in the office and doing an hours’ sheet,” comments my husband, passing us on the way to what used to be our dining room and is now piled high with vinyl records which keep him busy during retirement.

“I’ve got an idea,” pipes up Rose brightly. “We can make some more and then sell them for children who had to leave their homes.”

My granddaughter has been very struck by one of my friends who has taken in a Ukrainian refugee family. One of the children is her age and adapting really well to her new school as well as everything else. But it must be such an upheaval.

Meanwhile, the magnets have taken up a good hour but the rain is still belting down. There’s only one thing for it. We’ll have a teddy bear spelling test. They each bring down one of the soft toys from upstairs to sit on the kitchen table while I read out a list of words for them to write down. I thought this might be a cool way to sweeten the idea of some homework.

They both fall for it. In fact they love it. Mind you, it does make me wonder how on earth we learned to spell when you get words like “went” which doesn’t have an “h” and words like “when” which does.

Anyway, they get it – and so do their teddies. It’s then time for the hand-over and I sleep like a log.

Hooray! The next day is sunny. So we walk to the beach after buying iced buns on the way. I would normally be at my desk, working on next year’s novel. But this is a special time. I know from having brought up my three that time really does go fast at this age even though it doesn’t seem like it when you’re in the thick of it. Even so, I’m also aware that I need to catch up on some vital emails which can’t wait. I also need to get ready for Spain next week where I’m filming a story writing class which will soon be online.

But I can’t check my emails while watching my grandchildren.

Oh oh. The sky is going grey again and it’s started to rain. We get home to our house just in time. “Why don’t we go to the cinema?” suggests my husband. “It’s that Super Mario film.”

I can tell he’s itching to see it. My husband is a real kid at heart. But the children have already been.

“We want to go again,” chorus Rose and George.

So off we go. I have to confess that I’m so exhausted that I fall asleep at the beginning. But then I wake up and find myself being caught up in the drama. Wow! I’d never have watched this if it hadn’t been for the children. But it’s quite addictive!

As I write, half-term is coming to an end. It’s my daughter’s day off work today so I can go back to my computer. But I rather miss the sound and the noise of my grandchildren. Excuse me for a moment. I’m just going back into town to buy some more of those magnetic sets. They’ll come in handy for my next granny day.

How was your half-term with the children? Can you suggest any activities? Did you get into any scrapes? Do let us know by emailing moderngran@dcthomson.co.uk.

Ask Agony Gran

“One set of my grandchildren live near me and the other are miles away. I see the local ones quite a lot but I get the feeling from the far-away ones that they feel a bit left out. They are all aged between five and 12. Do you have any suggestions?” Name withheld

Jane says:

This can’t be easy. I only have one set of grandchildren who live nearby. But I do have three adult children, two of whom live miles away. I’m conscious that if I give one a treat or have an in-depth conversation on the phone, I need to do something similar for the others – especially as we all chat on Family What’s App and know what’s going on!

You might want to consider doing something similar. If you take your local grandchildren out for the day, how about sending a voucher to the far-away ones so they can have a day out? You could also have a set time of the week when you have a family chat with the distant grandchildren to make up for spending physical time with the local ones.

You could also organise regular visits in the holidays; write to them on funny cards; set up a WhatsApp group; and generally keep them in the loop about what’s going on in your life. Talking about your day-to-day life and asking them about theirs, is more important than materialistic gifts. I also have a granny friend who gets her children and grandchildren together for camping trips in the summer holidays. Hers come from all over the UK and they choose a different destination every time. It’s a lovely way for the cousins to bond. Good luck!

Your Feedback

Thank you to Maggie who emailed us after reading last week’s agony email from a reader who didn’t feel ready to be a granny.

“I was taken back when my daughter got pregnant at 18. Like your reader, I was worried that my daughter was too young – and I also felt too young to be a granny. It sounds awful but I wanted some time of my own after bringing up my daughter. Now my grandson is four. We’ve had our ups and down but he has brought out the best in all of us. My daughter has a responsible job. I look after my grandson one day a week after school on my day off. He has brought so much light into our lives. I also take pride in being a granny – and rather like it when someone mistakes me for his mum!”

Thanks also to Jeff who got in touch after reading last week’s column about grandparents feeling less lonely if they spend 12 hours or more with their grandchildren.

“I spend two hours a week with my grandchildren every Saturday so their parents can have some time on their own – even if it’s just going for a walk. That might not sound much but it’s the highlight of my week. And yes – my grandchildren do stop me from feeling lonely.”

Family News

The ratio of grandchildren to children is rising according to a recent survey. We think that’s great – don’t you? We can each benefit from – and support – the other.