A gran has sparked debate after admitting she’s been forced to make excuses to stop her grandkids sleeping over at her home.
While she admits that she helps out with the school run and babysitting, she treasures her “peace” and sees her small one-bedroom flat as her private “sanctuary”.
Writing on the online forum Gransnet, she asked for advice as the parents of her six grandkids keep asking for them to sleep over – despite the lack of space.
“I’m constantly being asked when my grandchildren can come to my home for a sleepover. I have a very small one bedroomed flat, and live alone (except for the dog),” she wrote.
“I find I have to keep making excuses as to why this can’t happen – but, in reality, I don’t want them to stay over! My home is my sanctuary, and I treasure my peace.”
Noting all of her grandkids live in “spacious” homes, she insisted she helps in other ways, but can’t manage an overnight stay.
She added: “A lot of friends with grandchildren say it is part and parcel of being a Grandma, and their grandchildren expect to have sleepovers – even though the grandparents find it an exhausting experience.”
It sparked a mixed reaction from other grandparents, with some insisting she needs to put her foot down and refuse – while others admitted they love to have their grandkids stay.
One wrote: “If you are concerned about the lack of space and you don’t want the upheaval simply say no, and keep saying no.”
Another said the blame falls on the parents, writing: “If the children are being primed to ask you, then this is a particularly manipulative way of asking you for overnight babysitting.”
But many more were confused as to why she wouldn’t want to spend as much time as possible with them, with one person commenting: “I don’t know how old your GC are but I know I love having mine to stay. I only have one. We have 2 spare bedrooms but he sleeps on a chair/bed thing by our bed.”
Another added: “Oh what a shame to miss out I love having my grandkids for sleepovers or stay overs but then we are all different I’ve had keys cut for them (which they never seem to use) so they can come and go any time… I remember how I loved staying over at my Nans.”