The Babysitting Grandma

It was decided even before I got on the plane and I couldn’t wait. I would be babysitting my grandson while visiting over the holidays. I was excited to have time alone with my first grandson while babysitting him on New Year’s Eve.

During my recent visit to Kansas, where my daughter lives, she and son-in-law wanted to go out alone for the first time since their son was born. I was going to be the babysitting grandma on New Year’s Eve. The time came for them to go out. My daughter was fine. My son-in-law was a nervous wreck, asking me if I had their home address in case I had to call 911.

I calmed him by telling him that I’ve been babysitting since I was 14. I had two daughters of my own. Etc, etc… I just wanted them to get out of the house so I could be alone with my grandson.

About 8 PM, they left for a party. The baby was sleeping, but I knew his routine well. Oh and by the way, Baby Sal is breastfed and a real mamma’s boy. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but when he cries he wants his mom. I was the baby whisper, though who calmed him down when he was crying uncontrollably. At least I was, a few months ago.

Baby Sal slept for a short time. I watched him lovingly. When he woke up he was a bit upset. No problem. I rocked him and he quieted down. Upstairs we went to change his diaper and get him into his pj’s. He began to cry. I got a bottle. His little mouth couldn’t get around the nipple because of his sobbing. I rocked him, doing a little dance and shushed him. The crying went on.

He had gas. That was it! The tears continued. He was inconsolable. His tummy was filling up with more gas from crying. Nothing I did would calm him. After a call to my daughter (yes, I called her) about how he likes to be bottle fed, he still refused it.

My heart was breaking. I couldn’t handle hearing my grandson cry. Even though I wanted to prove my son-in-law wrong for worrying, I sheepishly called my daughter to come home.

When you’re a babysitting grandma, there’s no way you can assume it will be like taking care of a stranger’s baby, a niece or nephew, a friend’s baby. Experience goes out the window when your grandchild is so upset. I’m the proof.

I may never babysit my grandson again…

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