Nanna’s & Grandads -You’ve gotta love them!

Today is a wet Wednesday morning, 10:21 am. I’ve just dropped Elsie off at Nanna’s and Grandad’s for the day, Amy’s at work, all the jobs are complete, and now I’m heading home to tend to my plants like some sort of Alan Titchmarsh rip-off.

I stood there watering plants that definitely didn’t need watering, just to justify being busy. Turns out the plants was “fine-ish”

I don’t think anyone really tells you how important grandparents are in your child’s life — and maybe more importantly, how vital they are for parents’ moments of clarity (sanity). In all seriousness, it’s incredible to have the help. But it always comes with guilt, especially today, when I have no jobs to complete and a full day to myself. I catch myself thinking I’m being “lazy”, or that I should go and find something to do because my wife is working.

It’s a strange feeling — being grateful for help while also feeling like you should be doing something to earn the quiet. As if dads’ rest needs a receipt.

I know this feeling is probably common… I hope. And yes, I’ve already talked about it in a previous post, so I’ll stop myself here. Digression over.

Elsie’s Nanna and Grandad days usually involve food I’d never give her, them telling me she’s been “an absolute pleasure” even when she’s clearly been screaming, and trips to her Great Grandma’s to play with the cats. She absolutely loves it.

I suppose that’s the real gift grandparents give — not just childcare, but a reminder that your child can be deeply loved in places that aren’t you. And somehow, that’s comforting… once the guilt eases off a bit.

So today I’ll tend to the plants, pretend I’m productive, and quietly accept that Elsie is exactly where she should be — being spoiled, fed questionable snacks, and told she’s an absolute angel.

Honestly? Fair enough.

Does anyone else struggle to enjoy a quiet day without feeling like they’re doing something wrong?