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Saga babysitters
Grandparents are the unsung heroes of the family when it comes to caring for grandchildren, a Saga survey has revealed
Many of today's grandparents spend a week every month looking after their grandchildren - with nine out of ten not receiving a single penny for their efforts.
Saga's Populus survey - the UK's largest poll of the over 50s - revealed that half of all grandparents regularly fulfil a surrogate parenting role for their grandchildren, with the overwhelming majority doing it for love.
Among these older babysitters almost half spend more than 16 hours a month with their grandchildren, while nearly one in five spend more than 40 hours.
A quarter of all grandparents questioned said they have reduced their own working hours to make time for grandchildren.
Of those who are 'paid', the majority receive payment in kind, such as help around the house. Only one per cent of grandparents are paid cash for their efforts.
However, many grandparents find themselves short of money after dipping in their pockets for their little ones' treats and activities.
On average, grandparents spend £10.75 per day per child. But most grandparents look after two children at a time, with costs more than doubling as a result. More than three quarters of grandparents are not reimbursed for these costs, nor are they eligible to claim childcare benefit payments.
As caring for grandchildren takes up so much time, it's hardly surprising that more than half of grandparents - and 61 per cent of all those polled - think parents should be able to claim benefits for grandparents as they can for professional childcare. Considering the huge cost of British nurseries, it's understandable that many parents are keen to have as much childcare help as possible.
Andrew Goodsell, Chief Executive of Saga Group Ltd, said: "Looking after children is a serious commitment, but grandparents often choose to provide this support and place the monetary implications of reducing their own working hours into second place.
"However, it's enjoyment rather than obligation that drives them to spend this much time with their grandchildren, with 36 per cent of respondents stating that they do it because they enjoy it."
If you are looking after grandchildren, and feel like you need some help, read here:
- Granny rules, OK? How to set boundaries with your grandchildren
- Oh baby: how much has parenting changed in your lifetime?
- Gardening with grandchildren: how to create a Peter Rabbit garden
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Reader comments
I look after my granddaughter 2 days a week she is 2 yrs old Ive looked after her since she was 12 weeks.she has a sister who is 11 yrs old.I was retired when she came along.So I have enjoyed looking after her. I was working when my other 3 grand children were small so did not enjoy them as much ,I missed a lot of their growing up.But have made up for it with this one.I don,t need any payment as she keeps me young and fit.
Posted by: Jean Hughes | 08/04/2008 20:47:54
Ilook after my grand daughter as well as being a designated carer to my father all I can say is that it gives me the gratest joy to look after her,I find she lifts my mood if Iam having a hard time of it with Dad,talk about the two ends of the spectrum.In these days of high payement mortge as etc Iwould find it hard to ask them for any money
Posted by: lynann beynon | 06/04/2008 13:16:27
The Government lead parents and single parents to believe that childcare is available for all. Private nursery care is expensive. Many childcare places are within charity run preschools operating from church halls, the church often subsidising the rent. As there other hall users, the preschools struggle to offer the 5 Government funded sessions of 2.5 hrs for each child age 3 upwards. For many years all Governments have relied on the staff of these playgroups/preschools to provide cheap childcare, now they are relying on grandparents
Posted by: Mrs L Anderson | 06/04/2008 13:05:54
I believe that parents should be able to claim childcare payments when grandparents look after children whilst the parents work. In today's world, many mothers have to work, part-time at least, to help with the family budget, because the cost of living always goes up, never down!! I retired at 58 to help look after our son's four young children when he became a single parent (not voluntarily!!) We even moved house to make it easier. Now I look after my youngest daughter's two young children -she needs to work part-time to help the family's finances - and have done so since the eldest was six months' old when her maternity leave stopped. I do not have to pay for the outings I take them on - I have a budget of £10 per week - but I have petrol costs as my daughter lives in the next town. It would be a pleasant surprise if the Government actually recognised the contribution grandparents make to family life, or is it that the Nursery lobby has the upper hand!
Posted by: Judy Porter | 04/04/2008 19:52:24
Today's children do not amuse themselves they look to be entertained most of the time. Each outing costs Grandparents, often going without themselves, a lot of money. Even a trip to a park takes petrol (no park nearby) and treats (ice cream, sweets etc) There is often a meal or two involved. I come from the age where no help was given therefore I didn't work. We had no washing machine, car or foreign holidays, how did we manage!!
Posted by: Pamela Huggett | 04/04/2008 18:38:55
Nursery fees are financially crippling our 'single parent' daughter and all we can offer her is emergency backup for illness etc as we are pensioners & cannot afford to stop working! We wouldn't feel happy about accepting money from her & even if we did it would not be enough to live on!
Posted by: Mrs S M Mills | 03/04/2008 10:43:26
