Will you provide regular childcare for your grandchildren?

[GranparentChildcare]

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

if they'll have me, yes. though I'll be rather ancient by the time it happens, if my children live a little before having children, as I did. I doubt I'll have the energy to do five days a week, but I'd gladly do what I can. I'd also try to contribute financially so ideally my children and their partners can reduce their work hours, at least for the early years.

I didn’t have grandparents. My aunt and her friends helped

I didn't have grandparents, aunts, cousins, uncles or babysitting friends of my parents. I think this is why I had no expectations of help from anyone else. I was used to self contained. I never asked my parents to be childcare and never used childcare. Not that my parents would have been childcare anyway. My mother fobbed us off for sleepovers with friends sometimes. I never did that.

I wasn’t raised by others and we raised our own.

I would if asked, but am not very much. I have two who I love to the moon and back but the other Granma is asked much more. She is ten years younger. I don’t take it personally though (or not much!), but the parents know I will step in at any time. I do have arthritis for which I exercise a lot, but I don’t think it’s that. The children know I love them.

Absolutely if I’m in a position to. Would respect their wishes / routine but if and when the time comes I will do all I can to help (not interfere!).

No. I’d be extremely surprised if DS, should he have children, does it in the same country as us — I hope he’ll explore the world.

Same. I will love seeing them but not being the responsible one every week. As my parents do

DS1s partner can't have children and DS2 doesn't live in the UK so no.

Yes, if I'm not ill and my children don't have 10 😅

But at this rate...i'd still be working full time too 😅

Yes, I hope to.

I don't and I am not expected to. My days of looking after young children are over. I will occasionally look after my grandchild for a few hours, but nothing regular. If back up care is ever needed then I would do it with no problem.

I have raised my children, I now want to spend my time doing things that I want to do.

I’d like to say yes, but I am mindful that a) I may be dead (not wishing to sound morbid but I was in my forties when I had my children!) and b) before I had my children, they weren’t going to have any screen time and would exist entirely on home made meals lovingly prepared by me, and I would devote myself to setting up interesting activities for them … just as we can’t say for sure how we’ll react as a parent until we are parents, I think the same is true of grandparents. I don’t know how I’ll feel.

My first DGC was born shortly after I retired and four more followed over the next eight years. I’ve done regular childcare for both families from birth - usually three to four days a week across the two families - and have loved being such a big part of their lives. They’re all at school now but I still do regular drop offs and pick ups and quite a few sleepovers. I’m in my mid 70s, thankfully in good health, and they keep me young!

I have got two dds in their 20s and although neither have made noises about having children both are in long term relationships. I wouldnt commit to regular childcare for the early years as babies/toddlers are hard work, and I have a couple of health conditions. I probably could manage one but then I would be scared being roped into looking after subsequent children, and I would hate to say no.

I wouldnt have an issue providing wrap around care once at primary though or help out with school hols. At least at that age they are more self sufficient and wont require constant supervision or their arse wiped.

Absolutely. Same as our parents have for us and our grandparents did for our parents.

No. I shudder at the thought. Will likely still be working too. The only exception I would make – maybe – is if either of them had twins.

No I’ll likely be working full time till retirement myself. I’ll see them regularly but it’s unlikely be giving up work to look after them. More than happy with the odd weekend or evening

I have one DGC and still work full time.
I have DGD one day a week through choice and have her overnight occasionally too. She’s almost 1

No because I want to travel, not be tied to commitments. I’ll be happy to help in an emergency if I’m here though.

I doubt it. I plan on working until I’m 70. DC lives a long way away.

Yes. My own parents barely lift a finger and nor do DH’s. It is incredibly hard without family support and I don’t want my kids to go through that.

I also want a relationship with any grandchildren I am lucky enough to have one day - I was very close to my own grandmother and I would love to have that connection if I can.

I hope so. I had first dc at 25 so should be young enough if any of my dc has children . I’d like to go part time if I’m fortunate enough to have gc and help look after them one day a week. I had lots of help from my mum and spent time as a child with my gps, it’s just part of having a family as far as I’m concerned.

I’m 61 and DH is 68. I’m sure our DD will be thinking babies very soon but as she is 100 miles from us I wonder how useful we will be. I would love to give her the support we didn’t have but the distance could make it tricky.

We will likely still be working if/when we have grandchildren. DH and I will happily help out where we can though. We have been very lucky that my DM has been our childcare since I returned to work with each baby until they were about 3. Saved us lots of money and we knew that our children were getting the same love and care they would if they were at home.

All of my children adore my DM.