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Looking after grandchildren ..............

(31 Posts)
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loopyloo Thu 01-Jun-23 16:01:49

We supported our daughter a lot of the years and looking back we were over generous.
My advice is to put yourselves first. Go back to work if you want to clear your debts etc.

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swampy1961 Thu 01-Jun-23 15:49:07

Thank you all for your replies - you have all made valid points.
We are able to service our debts as well as making extra payments and have been snowballing to achieve this - but at the current rate of payment we will be paying these for another 4 years along with the extra interest {angry} and will be cleared by the time I claim my State pension.
We both have occupational pensions and have been struggling with the LGPS for DH's second pension which even after 19 plus months is still not being paid!! We have now got our local MP involved and obtained advice from Pension advisors to lodge complaints so this is ongoing.
I guess I'm just feeling a bit frustrated because we could be free of debt in just over a year were I to go back to work and I can be impatient at times when things don't move quickly enough. The joys of being older! lol!!

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Hithere Thu 01-Jun-23 15:32:32

Please take care of your finances and make sure your future is secure

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Poppyred Thu 01-Jun-23 15:25:43

Discuss with the parents? Do they know you have debts? Maybe they would be willing to pay you for childminding - this would probably be cheaper than finding alternative childcare. Best of both worlds?

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dogsmother Thu 01-Jun-23 14:55:25

You must do as you see fit. Your grandchildren are just that, grandchildren. A secondary responsibility, if you choose to go to work for a little longer then your adult children will be obliged to find and pay for childcare.

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swampy1961 Thu 01-Jun-23 14:48:48

.... and this was done willingly to help family to clear down their debts even though their income is twice ours. But they have been away stay-cationing multiple times this year over school holidays and weekends with their caravan and are now planning a holiday abroad in October.
Am I being unreasonable to think that we are funding their breaks away as they are not paying any childcare?
We have debts too and although I'm retired after being made redundant - I could find another job for a year or so - maybe temping - then we too could be debt free so that all our money is ours to do the retirement things we are hoping for.
DH is on long term sick and due his State pension at the end of this year - in an ideal world if he had been able to work his last couple of years then the debts would have been cleared. We are mortgage free thankfully but the best laid plans and all that don't take account of ill health!! What do people think?

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