7 Strategies to Tackle the Grandparent Hangover

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Nothing compares to the love that grandparents have for your children. They’ll listen to every rambling story and celebrate every tiny accomplishment with an enthusiasm that can only be described as obnoxious. And when it comes to indulging your kids, especially when they’re under Grandma and Grandpa’s watchful eyes, no one can do it better.

But brace yourself: after enjoying some well-deserved kid-free time, picking your little ones up from their grandparents usually comes with a side effect we like to call “the Grandparent Hangover.” You can bet that those whiny, cranky, and sugar-fueled kiddos are going to make your evening a challenge.

Sure, you might think about handing Grandma a detailed list of dos and don’ts. Good luck with that! Grandparents are the OG rebels—they have their own ideas about how to parent. My advice? Unless it’s a matter of life and death, let them have their fun. Instead, focus on how to handle the aftermath of that hangover. Here are some tips to help you survive the storm of meltdowns and entitlement:

1. Anticipate the Whining: Prepare for the inevitable complaints by playing some of your favorite calming tunes on the ride home. Crank it up high enough to drown out the chaos.
2. Head Straight Home: It’s best to contain the crankiness to the sanctuary of your house. This way, you can blast music or the TV to mask the sounds of your little ones’ meltdowns.
3. Ease Back into Routine: Resist the urge to throw them straight into chores and homework. Pour yourself a glass of wine and give them some time to readjust.
4. Prevent Arguments: Get creative! Engage your kids in a game, offer them a snack, or keep them apart to avoid fights. Or, just hide in the closet with your wine.
5. Serve Their Favorite Meal: Remember, grandparents aren’t the only ones who can win kids over with yummy food.
6. Plan for a Movie Night: Your kids are likely over-tired. Pop on a movie to help them unwind and aim for an early bedtime. Get them settled in their own rooms ASAP.
7. Have Another Glass of Wine: When all else fails, just keep repeating: “I got free babysitting. I got free babysitting,” until the Grandparent Hangover fades away and your kids forget what it’s like to have their whims catered to.

And for some sweet revenge, next time, send your kids to their grandparents’ house a little stinky and unkempt. Not that I’ve ever done that!

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Summary:

The Grandparent Hangover is a real phenomenon that parents experience after their kids return from time with their grandparents. While grandparents love to spoil and indulge, this often leads to cranky and demanding behavior from the children. To manage this, parents can take proactive steps such as playing music to drown out whining, heading straight home, easing kids back into routine, and ensuring a calm environment with engaging activities and comfort food. Ultimately, a little humor and a glass of wine can go a long way in surviving the chaos.