Pros and cons of grandparents providing your childcare
MILLIONS OF GRANDPARENTS HELP CARE FOR THEIR GRANDCHILDREN. LISA SALMON TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT IT MEANS FOR FAMILIES
RAISING children can be tough – but some lucky parents have their own mums and dads to help them out. Around nine million grandparents help look after their grandchildren, spending an average of more than eight hours a week as childcarers.
Research by the insurance company Ageas shows this saves UK parents a total of £16 billion a year in childcare costs, or £1,786 a year per family.
In addition, many grandparents are also supplementing some of the costs of raising a family for parents, by paying for some of the basics like clothing, and toys not just at Christmas and birthdays. Others are even stumping up for luxuries like holidays for their grandchildren.
But while granny childcare is a great help to parents, what do grandparents get out of it?
Not surprisingly, research by Gransnet has found that while one in six grandparents have taken early retirement or quit paid employment to help out with their grandchildren, 80% of them say their sacrifice is worth it, and more than half (51%) say they’re happier now they spend time with their grandchildren.
Gransnet editor Lara Crisp says: “Most grandparents who help out with childcare relish the opportunity to spend more time with their grandchildren and find it helps them build a strong relationship with them.
“They’re also very aware of the demands on modern families – in particular expensive childcare – and are for the most part happy to help out if they can.
“However, it’s clear that in some cases they feel they’re taken for granted, so open discussions should happen on an ongoing basis in order to manage everyone’s expectations.”
But it’s not all good – 17% say they’re financially unstable as a result, and a tiny 4% say they were happier when they were working.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of grandparents looking after their grandchildren?
Here’s what some of the grandmas and grandads that use Gransnet forums say:
THE ADVANTAGES
1 ADDED QUALITY TIME
NEARLY two thirds (63%) of grandparents say looking after their grandchildren gives them “an amazing chance to spend time with them”.
2 PEACE OF MIND FOR PARENTS
FOR parents, it’s difficult to put a price on knowing that your son or daughter is with someone who loves them when you are at work.
3 IT OFFERS FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE
WHEN something unexpected comes up, it can mean a scramble to negotiate an extra hour or two at the childminder, whereas a quick call to the grandparent can be less awkward.
The help grandparents offer can often save parents a considerable amount of money.
4 IT HELPS TO KEEP GRANDPARENTS ACTIVE
MANY grandparents say caring for their grandchildren keeps them fit. That walk home from school or a trip to the local playground are a great reason to get some exercise.