Taking Car Of The Grandkids

[icyfroth]

An Australian study has found grandparents who spend a few days a week looking after the little ones are less likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease.
With the high cost of childcare, grandparents are often looked upon as the cheapest babysitting option for families…...
So, babysitting the grandkids - a good idea or is it just taking advantage?

That's a tricky question. If I wasn't working I'd be happy to mind my grandkids if I could help in that way.

[azureline**]

It's no secret I am the grandma who cares for grandchildren...................... all at school now so not so much anymore but I am having the pleasure of one of the 7 yo's for the weekend. 🙂 but it isn't doing anything for my memory.

[purple_haize]

I am a grandparent to 2 and in 3 weeks my first step granchild will be here.

I have one in school and the 4yr. old is in daycare and kinder and we have her every thursday. We take my grandson to school most days as his mother works shifts as a nurse.

They keep you on your toes, wears me out at times, but I wouldnt be without them.

[pct001wine]

---

@icyfroth wrote:

An Australian study has found grandparents who spend a few days a week looking after the little ones are less likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease.
With the high cost of childcare, grandparents are often looked upon as the cheapest babysitting option for families…...
So, babysitting the grandkids - a good idea or is it just taking advantage?

That's a tricky question. If I wasn't working I'd be happy to mind my grandkids if I could help in that way.

---

"a few days a week"   That would make me worry about my own sanity, let alone Alzheimer's.   That would go down in my book as "taking advantage"

Love all my grandkids, happy to look after them on our terms, but as for a few days a week - whilst both parents are working I guess - no thanks.   If it is a single parent situation then I would be more open to looking after the little beggars - it's pretty tough being a single parent.

[azureline**]

It's not for everybody.................. but I loved it. I was a stay at home mum and Grandma so why not? Between my children and their partners and some working part time or shift work, I didn't have them every day or even a whole day. They are all close now and more like siblings than cousins.

Sadly I live too far from the littlest one to be having her often.

[love*today]

I have to say that the majority of people I talk to that care for grandkids feel used.
Their kids need to learn the hard way imo and they should stop for a couple of weeks...but they won't because they fret for the gkids.

[purple_haize]

---

@love*today wrote:
I have to say that the majority of people I talk to that care for grandkids feel used.
Their kids need to learn the hard way imo and they should stop for a couple of weeks...but they won't because they fret for the gkids.

---

I dont feel used at all, I love my grandkids and will do anything for them and their mother.

My daughter is recently separated, she works as a nurse and works shifts and there fore needs the children looked after, if she had them in childcare, it wouldnt be much point her working as most of what she earns would go to pay for care.

[azureline**]

I have never felt used and I don't fret, I do have other things to do, so I wouldn't go looking for an opportunity! lol.

Those grandparents who feel used need to talk to their children about that! it's a 2 way street, communication.

[*crikey*mate*]

It's up to the granparents.

We were all told that our parents were not available to babysit/mind children etc, before we even had kids.

They said, we bought up our kids, we do not want to be tied down to committments of "every Wednesday" or whatever, if you decide to have kids work out how you are going to bring them up because we have brought up our children, we do not want to bring uop yours.

Plenty of notice and warning, and no ambiguity or room for discussion.

That was their choice.

My mother did conced on one occasion when my daughter was in one hospital 5 years ago, and one of my sons in another hospital at the same time. She sat with the third child for 2 1/2 hours until we could arrange for someone else to take over.

[love*today]

Goodo, just relaying what I feel from talking to G mums,.

Had one Gmother ranting on and on the other day, threatening to stop...bet she doesn't. I felt sorry for her at first but by the end I was like whatever.