In a world where the traditional roles of grandparents often include being part-time caregivers to their grandchildren, one Australian grandmother's bold declaration has sparked a national conversation about the expectations placed on seniors during their retirement years.


Melbourne writer Avril Moore, a grandmother of eight, has candidly expressed her and her husband's decision not to provide regular childcare for their grandchildren, a stance that has ignited both support and criticism across the country. In an opinion piece for The Age, Moore described child-rearing as 'abject drudgery' and emphasized her desire to enjoy her golden years without the responsibility of raising another generation.


'The truth is we simply don't like it,' Moore stated, challenging the glossy lifestyle advertisements that depict grandparenting as an endless parade of joy and wonder. Her words resonate with a growing sentiment among seniors who feel pressured to conform to societal expectations of grandparental duties.


Moore's perspective sheds light on the often unspoken realities of grandparenting: the relentless routine of caring for young children, which includes feeding, nappy-changing, and dealing with sickness, all of which can be exhausting and time-consuming. She distinguishes between the joy of occasional visits and activities with grandchildren and the demanding nature of full-time babysitting.

The part-time lecturer also touched on the gendered expectations that grandmothers should naturally step into the role of caregiver, a notion she resents. She criticized the double standard of men who are now praised for taking on childcare duties after having been absent from such responsibilities in their own children's lives.

The backlash to Moore's stance has been significant, with some readers labeling the job of caring for grandchildren as 'thankless' and agreeing that it's unfair to expect grandparents to be free labor. Others, however, view grandparenting as a privilege and an opportunity to foster close relationships with their grandchildren, suggesting that the rewards of family time far outweigh the challenges.


The debate is set against the backdrop of a broader childcare crisis in Australia. According to Victoria University's Mitchell Institute, many Australians live in 'childcare deserts' with limited access to daycare, and those in regional or remote areas may have no childcare centers available at all. With recent fee increases and staff shortages, affordable childcare is becoming increasingly difficult to secure, even as the government attempts to alleviate the burden with subsidies.

This situation has led to a reliance on grandparents as a stopgap solution, a dynamic that raises questions about fairness and the right of seniors to enjoy their retirement without the obligation of additional child-rearing responsibilities.

Members of the Seniors Discount Club, we want to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this controversial topic? Have you felt the pressure to step into a caregiving role for your grandchildren? Or do you find joy and fulfillment in being an active part of their upbringing? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.



As we navigate the complexities of modern family dynamics, it's clear that the conversation around grandparenting and childcare is evolving. Whether you stand with Avril Moore or take a different view, one thing is certain: the role of grandparents in today's society is a topic ripe for discussion, and it's one that affects many of us in the over 60s community.