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Will you provide regular childcare for your grandchildren?

204 replies

GranparentChildcare · 05/04/2026 01:31

For those of you that have kids.
Are you going to provide regular child care on a regular basis for your grand children.

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 05/04/2026 01:32

No.

i am severely disabled and require carers myself.

Inthenameoflove · 05/04/2026 01:38

Yes if I possibly can. I have never had regular help and it’s been incredibly tough. But I have sons, so it does depend of course on what mum feels comfortable with. But I would offer and be respectful of their routines & wishes.

plims · 05/04/2026 01:39

You go first. It’s such a journalist type question.

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Ponderingwindow · 05/04/2026 01:40

No. That is not my job. I will provide backup care or the occasional date night.

Twilightstarbright · 05/04/2026 01:52

Maybe? If I’m physically capable- I have a disability that is worsening with age and I suspect I won’t be in a position to physically care for a 2 year old in 15-20 years time.

My parents don’t do regular ie every Tuesday but they will do inset days or the other v random days when there’s no holiday club and I’m immensely grateful for that.

GranparentChildcare · 05/04/2026 01:59

plims · 05/04/2026 01:39

You go first. It’s such a journalist type question.

I dont have kids i cant have any.
Im not a journalist either i work at waitrose.
Not everyone that comes on MN and ask something is a journalist.

OP posts:
plims · 05/04/2026 02:02

GranparentChildcare · 05/04/2026 01:59

I dont have kids i cant have any.
Im not a journalist either i work at waitrose.
Not everyone that comes on MN and ask something is a journalist.

No, you’re right most people aren’t. By most people give some detail in their OP, rather than just ask a question.

Why did you want to know?

Ilovelurchers · 05/04/2026 02:05

If I am lucky enough to have e grandchildren, then I will. I'd love grandchildren and will try to spend as much time with them as I can. If not daughter is happy with that of course!

patooties · 05/04/2026 02:17

I would love to but probably won’t.
i will happily have evenings weekend and offer back up but still work and think it’s best they cover it as I did relying on us for fun and emergencies

Villanousvillans · 05/04/2026 02:26

Depending on the age of the poster and when grandchildren arrive, many people will still be working full time. My DGC arrived when I was 55 and still at work.

LifeBeginsToday · 05/04/2026 02:43

Ive just become a grandmother at not even 40. I'll be providing once a week and every other weekend care to fit around work commitments.

Jacobolordy · 05/04/2026 02:49

Would love to, but if my dc wait as long as me to have kids I'll be pushing 80 so may not be much help sadly.

We've had no help from either set of parents due to poor health/ location and I've really felt the lack, so feel sad I may nit be able to provide for my dc.

Dliplop · 05/04/2026 02:52

Yes! Hope we’ll be well enough to help as much as my parents have.

notenoughalonetime · 05/04/2026 02:58

That depends on the circumstances at the time. True emergencies, yes always. Babysitting and care for important things, when I can.

If you mean childcare in place of paid childcare, I don't feel obligated. I might be willing to do it one day a week, two absolute tops. But they will be on days that mean I don't have to give up any commitments of my own. If I am willing and able at the time, I will tell them what days they can pick from. Then they decide if that works for them. If it doesn't, I don't do childcare.

GreenHuia · 05/04/2026 04:15

I have so many happy memories from my own childhood of time spent with my grandparents, and feel sad that my children's grandparents live too far away to see them regularly. I will absolutely be offering as much support as I'm able to give, both to have that strong bond and because I know what it's like not to have anyone else to call upon for help.

Dalmationday · 05/04/2026 04:18

We don’t live near any grandparents (none are where we originally grew up. We have 3 sets).
we have no help.

When my kids are older if I am able to I would absolutely help

canklesmctacotits · 05/04/2026 04:20

Probably not. I’ll be in my mid-70s if my eldest has a child when I had my first. Happy to give money for childcare or cook or do admin or whatever, and endless patience for reading and teaching things. But I have no time for babies and toddlers except for cuddles - well, no time for anyone who needs me to do stuff for them. Certainly don’t want to be responsible for safety.

elliejjtiny · 05/04/2026 04:27

Yes if I can

Tourmalines · 05/04/2026 04:48

No one can say until the time actually comes .

HelpMeGetThrough · 05/04/2026 04:54

No. My days of looking after young kids are over. Not going back to that again.

Lobesloope · 05/04/2026 04:58

Yes, if I can, I will

GlovedhandsCecilia · 05/04/2026 05:28

Yes. It's a cultural norm for us.

SLAMSreadmore · 05/04/2026 05:33

No - I play to be travelling - spend the winters in a warm country and the summers in the UK. Regular childcare is too restrictive and I think dd and I would come to blows (ds is gay and doesn’t like kids - so no worries there)

cannynotsay · 05/04/2026 05:36

Without a doubt. I don’t get why people are so selfish. Like we weren’t raised by others as kids

notenoughalonetime · 05/04/2026 05:42

cannynotsay · 05/04/2026 05:36

Without a doubt. I don’t get why people are so selfish. Like we weren’t raised by others as kids

I wasn't. And I raised my own.

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