Grandparents taking on childcare: is this the new normal?
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People's capacity to care for each other, love without conditions, and be happy for each other's existence is incredibly heartwarming to see.
And the love that grandparents have for their grandchildren, and vice versa, is something that can't be put into words.
Dr Arthur Kornhaber, a child and family psychiatrist, even claims that this is the only type of connection in which people are smitten with one another just because the other person is alive.
If they could, grandparents would give their grandchildren all the love and care in the world. But a new study shows that they often can't because of things like broken family relationships, distance, work obligations, and their own health.
Many grandparents are enthusiastic about helping with childcare for their grandchildren. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto.
In the study, which was carried out by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, around 2,300 grandparents were asked about their opinions on the frequently divisive topic of family childcare.
It covered the allegation that couples are 'dumping' their children on their parents, whom the researchers assumed would rather travel and retire comfortably instead.
But as it turns out, the answers were not what they expected. They discovered that most grandparents didn't see childcare as a burden. In reality, they see it as an important way to build relationships with their grandchildren.
They did it out of love, not because they had to.
The study found that more and more older Australians are 'volunteering' to look after young children.
Although they all have different reasons for doing so, the majority of them want to help their children continue to work or study, save money on formal daycare, or simply give them a break from parenting duties.
Other motivations are:
'There was just this overwhelming positivity coming through in the survey about the time these grandparents spend with their grandchildren,' said Jennifer Baxter, an AIFS researcher and the author of the report.
It's not all rainbows and butterflies when taking care of the young ones. Credit: Getty Images.
When it comes to the responsibility of looking after their beloved grandkids, grandparents are more than willing to step up to the plate. Here are what some of them have to say:
'I enjoy it very much, and they are always pleased to have me care for them. It's a wonderful time watching them grow up and learn things.'
– Grandfather, aged 66
'Although tiring, caring for our grandchildren is the most joyful and meaningful activity we have, the time we didn't have as parents, we now have to care for and enjoy our grandchildren. We are also aware this is a window of opportunity of about five years in each child's lives before they branch out into the wider world.'
– Grandmother, aged 74
It's a rewarding experience for grandparents to take care of their grandkids, but the job isn't always without its challenges. Other grandparents spoke about problems or obstacles that make it hard to care for children.
They included the grandparents' old age, health problems, work or caregiving duties, and even challenges with the need for more extensive care.
Here are what some of them have to say:
'I wish we could provide more childcare, but due to my husband's disability, we are not able to. Grandchildren have no other family supports at all.'
– Grandmother, aged 70
'I would love to see her more frequently, but when not in lockdown, I am working at every possible moment in casual jobs to pay my bills.'
– Grandmother, aged 65
Deciding to provide regular childcare for your grandchildren is a personal decision. Credit: myLifesite.
What about you, folks? Do you love the idea of looking after your grandchildren? Or do you not want the responsibility of regular childcare duties?
Everyone has different thoughts and feelings about this, and that is totally fine!
After all, being a grandparent is just one part of your life. You’re likely trying to balance your other responsibilities as well, such as housework, volunteer work, hobbies, and maybe even a job. There are also barriers such as mobility, energy, or health problems to keep in mind.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below; we'd absolutely love to hear from you!
And the love that grandparents have for their grandchildren, and vice versa, is something that can't be put into words.
Dr Arthur Kornhaber, a child and family psychiatrist, even claims that this is the only type of connection in which people are smitten with one another just because the other person is alive.
If they could, grandparents would give their grandchildren all the love and care in the world. But a new study shows that they often can't because of things like broken family relationships, distance, work obligations, and their own health.
Many grandparents are enthusiastic about helping with childcare for their grandchildren. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto.
In the study, which was carried out by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, around 2,300 grandparents were asked about their opinions on the frequently divisive topic of family childcare.
It covered the allegation that couples are 'dumping' their children on their parents, whom the researchers assumed would rather travel and retire comfortably instead.
But as it turns out, the answers were not what they expected. They discovered that most grandparents didn't see childcare as a burden. In reality, they see it as an important way to build relationships with their grandchildren.
They did it out of love, not because they had to.
The study found that more and more older Australians are 'volunteering' to look after young children.
Although they all have different reasons for doing so, the majority of them want to help their children continue to work or study, save money on formal daycare, or simply give them a break from parenting duties.
Other motivations are:
- wanting to spend time with grandchildren
- helping their children in other ways (than financial) by providing support and care to the grandchildren
- preferring that the grandchildren are not cared for by strangers
- helping children financially by reducing their childcare costs
- feeling like they could not say no when asked
'There was just this overwhelming positivity coming through in the survey about the time these grandparents spend with their grandchildren,' said Jennifer Baxter, an AIFS researcher and the author of the report.
It's not all rainbows and butterflies when taking care of the young ones. Credit: Getty Images.
When it comes to the responsibility of looking after their beloved grandkids, grandparents are more than willing to step up to the plate. Here are what some of them have to say:
'I enjoy it very much, and they are always pleased to have me care for them. It's a wonderful time watching them grow up and learn things.'
– Grandfather, aged 66
'Although tiring, caring for our grandchildren is the most joyful and meaningful activity we have, the time we didn't have as parents, we now have to care for and enjoy our grandchildren. We are also aware this is a window of opportunity of about five years in each child's lives before they branch out into the wider world.'
– Grandmother, aged 74
It's a rewarding experience for grandparents to take care of their grandkids, but the job isn't always without its challenges. Other grandparents spoke about problems or obstacles that make it hard to care for children.
They included the grandparents' old age, health problems, work or caregiving duties, and even challenges with the need for more extensive care.
Here are what some of them have to say:
'I wish we could provide more childcare, but due to my husband's disability, we are not able to. Grandchildren have no other family supports at all.'
– Grandmother, aged 70
'I would love to see her more frequently, but when not in lockdown, I am working at every possible moment in casual jobs to pay my bills.'
– Grandmother, aged 65
Deciding to provide regular childcare for your grandchildren is a personal decision. Credit: myLifesite.
What about you, folks? Do you love the idea of looking after your grandchildren? Or do you not want the responsibility of regular childcare duties?
Everyone has different thoughts and feelings about this, and that is totally fine!
After all, being a grandparent is just one part of your life. You’re likely trying to balance your other responsibilities as well, such as housework, volunteer work, hobbies, and maybe even a job. There are also barriers such as mobility, energy, or health problems to keep in mind.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below; we'd absolutely love to hear from you!
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