When being a grandparent becomes a chore...
Being a grandparent is a wonderful thing. If you’re lucky enough to spend a lot of time with your grandchildren it can often mean you’re there to witness those unforgettable milestone moments… First teeth, first words, first steps. But, for some, the role of grandparent can be more like that of a fulltime nanny. And, being a grandparent can often mean being part of a relationship in which you have very little say. The expectation that you should drop everything to babysit your grandchildren – at short notice or for long periods of time – can sometimes result in personal sacrifices. For many it means committing to one or more days each week, EVERY week. Mae S has provided free childcare for the last 10 years. An offer to babysit her first grandchild – enabling mum to go back to work – soon turned into babysitting duties which extended to each of her four children. “As each of my children became parents themselves, the assumption that I would babysit all of my grandchildren seemed to only get stronger,” Mae said. “When my youngest told me she was pregnant with her first child, my heart sank a little, which sounds terrible. But I’m not as young as I was and the thought of chasing after another two-year-old three days a week is not something I’m looking forward to. “But I did it for her brothers and sisters so I can’t say no.” You might be more than happy to do all this. But, sometimes, you might find it too tiring to spend a full day looking after your grandchildren. Or you might just feel like your goodwill is being taken advantage of…
No one’s questioning how much you care about your grandchildren, but if you ever feel that being a grandparent can become a bit of a chore we’d love to hear from you
Are you happy to babysit for as long and as often as you're needed? Or do you feel like your family is pushing the boundaries when it comes to your role as a grandparent?