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NewsWhat should grandparents get in return for giving their grandkids ‘free’ childcare?
What should grandparents get in return for giving their grandkids ‘free’ childcare?

What should grandparents get in return for giving their grandkids ‘free’ childcare?

As a doting grandparent who  helps provide more childcare than any other formal service in Australia should you be paid for your services by the government or your own children?

This intriguing question follows a new report into the grey army which each week  looks after 837,000 kids and weighs up the costs and the benefits for all parties.

While most do it for love a third of those in the survey, from the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre, incurred extras costs such as food, transport and outings.

The report, which you can see in full here (link  http://www.nationalseniors.com.au/be-informed/research/publications/grandparents)  says:

“When making the decision to take on a regular care commitment, the grandparents in the study did not weigh up the financial costs and benefits: most had not even made any attempt to calculate the household outlays associated with their care. Rather, many thought it was a normal part of their grandparent role.”

It might be being normalised but the statistics suggest  half of grandparents want  the government to compensate them for the amount of care they provide. In Australia only three percent get paid.

It’s not so crazy. In South Korea grandparents are not only paid typically about $800 a month for childcare by their grateful children but they are, according to reports, demanding even more.

And recognition can come in different ways. In the UK for example there’s a system of carer credits to the public  age pension for grandparents providing such childcare.

The survey highlighted the direct costs of the caring commitment with 70% altering the days and shifts they worked, 55% reducing their hours and even 18% changing their jobs.

Also one third of respondents reported their childcare duties meant they had to change the timing or expected timing of their retirement.

Of course many reported enjoying looking after their kids’ kids but not after a certain amount of time. 

Interestingly there’s ‘tipping point’ of 13 or more hours a week when it all becomes less enjoyable and the impacts on work and retirement are ramped up.

The conclusion of the survey is that there’s a policy black hole with no recognition of the importance of grandparent childcare to the wellbeing of families, communities and the economy.

It suggests policy reform to help these carers make better choices and mitigate the impact of providing ‘free’ childcare on their incomes, retirement plans and ability to work.

Originally posted on .

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Trudy
Trudy from QLD commented:

Even though I do not have any children I still think that any help that grandparents give their children should be compensated 

linda
linda from VIC commented:

I believe the children's parents should give the grandparents some pocket money to pay for petrol and food costs even though I adore my grandchildren. I always paid my children's grandparents - it helps both sides. Linda 

audrey
audrey from NSW commented:

as a great,grandmother I have wonderful memories of minding my grandchildren. In return I had lots of love & endless hugs. A box of chocolates & occasionally lovely flowers. I recently said thank you to a g'daughter for her love & caring, her remark was "It comes from the top Nana" I gave her the biggest hug with a few tears. I will never forget those words! Audrey Gunness. 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

I don't believe that the government should get involved in any way or form with grand parents looking after the grand children. I wish the government would get serious about making it possible for people to have a family without getting the calculator to see if they can afford. Perhaps we should go back to the "crown land" situation where people can have a piece of land to live on and lease if from the government for 99 years. Perhaps the stamp duty can be paid in instalments whilst living on that piece of land, in other words make it possible for the younger ones to get their own place, leave the parent home earlier. That way you are not looking at a $ 600000 mortgage just to buy a piece of land before even building a house on it. The parents will be free from looking after their own children earlier in life and have some time for themselves before grand children come on the scene. 

leanne
leanne from NSW commented:

LOVE Why should this be a governments responsibility 

Mark
Mark from QLD commented:

We do a great job for the country looking after after the kids, it is for love that we do it but some cost is also involved which is a burden for many of us. Mark 

John
John from NT commented:

Nothing! It's your grand children!! 

Trish
Trish from NSW commented:

I don't get to see my grandchildren very often. I would mind them for nothing any chance I got. 

leno
leno from VIC commented:

As grandparents,we take them and pick them up from school,we mind them until they are picked up, we look after them in school holidays. We don't ask for anything from our children as they are struggling. If we didn't do this then my kids could not work and thus pay taxes. We also save the government childcare costs. We don't expect to be compensated by the government, but what we want is to be treated fairly. The proposed pension changes are completely unfair when they are analysed correctly. Therefor we are all still contributing so treat us with a little compassion not contempt. Let us enjoy the time we have left not worry about how we are going to make ends meet 

Pamela
Pamela from QLD commented:

I believe if reimbursement is due to grandparents for expenses that the parents not the taxpayer should pay. 

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