Role of the grandparent is more crucial than ever The role of the grandparent is arguably more crucial than ever before. Here, examines why their job is so important to families

IT’S a very common sight nowadays for both sets of parents to be in full-time employment. Latest figures show that around a third of homes in the UK are headed by mums and dads who both have full-time jobs.

And the average mother is now working nearly 30 hours a week – the equivalent of three-and-a-half days from a five-day week.

But the major downside to boosting the hours of employment is childcare costs which have increased rapidly in recent years.

The Family and Childcare Trust revealed that the cost of sending a child aged two or under to a childminder for 50 hours a week in Wales has risen from £179 in 2015 to £190 in 2016.

Meanwhile the cost of sending a child aged three or four to nursery full-time has also increased to £161 per week after accounting for roughly 13 hours of free childcare.

This means families who have a child in both of these age groups may have to shell out more than £350 per week to have their children looked after while they were at work.

So it’s no wonder many hardworking mum and dads are turning to their own parents for help in looking after their children.

Experts at Age Cymru say that the role of the grandparent is more crucial than ever before.

Ian Thomas, CEO of Age Cymru said: “The high cost of childcare means that more and more families are having to rely on help from grandparents to continue working.

“Age Cymru believes it is vital that we recognise and celebrate the economic and social contribution that grandparents make to society.

“However many older people are now expected to spend time caring for their grandchildren, as well as potentially working for longer, while needing to care for their partner or older relatives too.

“Caring for grandchildren can be a happy time, but grandparents need to ensure they don’t sacrifice their own mental and physical health in order to care for others.”

Pensioners Judy and Spencer Meredith, who live in Gowerton, Swansea, spend two days a week looking after their grandchildren Henry and Ella.

The two toddlers, who are cousins and are both set to turn two years old this year, are put in the capable hands of their grandparents while their mums and dads go to work.

Spencer, a 72-year-old former secondary school teacher, agrees that the role of the grandparent has grown in importance.

“It’s pretty full-on but we find it very enjoyable. It’s added a new dimension to our lives,” he said.

“We have older grandchildren too but we were working when they were very young, so it wasn’t quite the same relationship.

“We were both teachers, so we try and create a timetable and routine when they come over. They actually play up less around us than they do with their own parents.”

The grandparents say they often take the children to the park, weather permitting, and play games in the house and garden. “We are both pretty fit. “I don’t think most grandparents would be able to look after two little ones. It would take too much out of them.

“We manage quite comfortably, and the fact they are roughly the same age helps us.”

He believes Henry and Ella benefit more from being with their grandparents than with a registered childminder.

“Most families need two wages coming in just to make ends meet, so it’s better for them to be with family.”

Judy said they share the responsibility of looking after Henry and Ella with their other grandparents.

“We felt a bit daunted when we were first asking to babysit, but they are delightful children. It’s a real blessing to be able to look after them.

“You have to be on the ball all the time. You have to be so alert. Simple things like crossing the road with them can be a nightmare. I remember it being a very formal visit when I saw my grandparents. We never stayed over or did anything like that.

“It just shows how things have changed. But our daughters really appreciate it.”