Grandparents: Essential Childcare Providers?

By: Joni Boyd

Grandparents have always played an important role in the family, but today, their involvement in childcare is more significant than ever.

Whether by choice or necessity, more and more grandparents are stepping in to help care for their grandchildren, providing support for busy, working parents.

In recent years, the role of grandparents in childcare has grown substantially. 

“32% of grandparents are now involved weekly in child minding, child rearing, babysitting,” said Ian Barnett from the National Grandparent Movement.

This marks a dramatic shift from previous generations, when grandparents mainly took on the role of holiday visitors.

The need for dual-income households and the rising cost of living have made grandparents an essential support system. 

“What do you do when everyone is working?” Ian said.

“You lean on the support of retired or semi-retired grandparents.”

With this growing involvement comes increased expectations — and, sometimes, tension. 

The demands on grandparents can sometimes feel overwhelming, leading to misunderstandings within families. 

“Talk to your kids about what you could do and just say that upfront,” Ian said.

Setting clear boundaries and ensuring everyone’s on the same page can help avoid conflict.