As the school holidays draw to a close, and parents have already returned to the daily grind, you may have noticed a growing trend as you make your way around town. It’s increasingly common to see children out and about with their grandparents on weekdays after Mum or Dad’s annual leave has expired.
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Changes in society over the last few decades mean that many parents now return to work after having children. When they do, grandparents are then often called in as a substitute or supplement to other care arrangements. In fact, Australian statistics show that 65 per cent of grandparents aged 40–69 years care for their grandchildren, with 28 per cent taking on that role at least once a week.
There are positives to this arrangement. The childcare provided by grandparents not only helps parents juggle career responsibilities and save money on childcare fees, but also provides opportunities for development of relationships across generations. Children can feel more connected to their family and its history. In return, grandchildren can expose their grandparents to new knowledge and experiences.
There are genuine health benefits too. A recent long-term study found that, after controlling variables like age and health, grandparents who were care givers to grandchildren lived up to five years longer than those who weren’t. But the story is different for the 2.9 million Australian seniors who have become full-time “custodial grandparents” – a group that has been steadily growing since the mid-1990s due to changing social conditions. Apart from the emotional strain these situations create, there are other challenges. Grandparents may have downsized to a smaller house and lack adequate space for children. They might be living on a fixed income or pension and struggle to pay the additional expenses raising children involves.
Custodial grandparents might also be experiencing their own age-related health problems. In neglecting their own healthcare to prioritise that of their grandchildren, seniors can develop undiagnosed health problems. It is important for grandparents who play an active role in caring for their grandchildren to remember to take care of themselves too.
Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It will contribute to the ongoing stability and wellbeing of all members of “grandfamilies”, and provide long-term benefits for all.
