My wife and I followed my parents to the low-COL city where they retired, and, while it's been nice to see them somewhat frequently, we were a little dismayed to discover that they kind of feel like they've "done their time" and don't take my son nearly as much as we'd like.
Maybe we just don't ask enough, I don't know.
I've resolved to be the opposite kind of grandparent. I really don't have a lot more I want to do later in life than spend time with the grandchildren I will hopefully have. I like my time alone and plan to travel extensively, but picking kids up from school, spending weekends with them 1-on-1, getting lost and doing interesting things are the magic of a childhood.
As a working parent we are burdened with so much other stuff it's hard to truly enjoy the simplicity of being around a child. I plan to shrug off all my other responsibilities and just enjoy it for what it is.
Writing this as parent, having small toddler, leaving abroad, far from both mine and wife's parents. It is harder without support, but manageable.
I was just curious. It seemed stantaylor was happy the kids were out of the house. I was wondering why they were in the house to begin with.
> people deserve also "me time"
Of course, to each their own. Not having kids is a good way to have a lot of "me time".