Grandparents childminding, paying for babysitters

My first thoughts ? Totally bonkers. Are these GPs so desperate to a) feel wanted.. or b) can't live without tinies in their lives which IMO shows a serious problem with partner relationships or c) are terrified they will be sidelined for outside help (who may become close to precious GCs )As for helping their ACs have full time jobs so they can pay the eye-watering monthly repayments on their over- budget mortgages, and the multiple city breaks which are essential to recover from the strains of parenthood. You choose to have children whilst having so many outgoings that you need to drag GPs in to provide free child care ? I'm afraid that would be my response to either of my daughters. But then I'm a selfish old bat

If the parent/s depend on you to help out with childcare so they can work to provide for their family (I'm not talking about the same kind of parents you are, willsmadnan) then I can understand the situation in the OP.

Grandparents often help out financially when they are unable to provide childcare themselves due to ill-health, bereavement or disability.

I haven't read the report, but think it sounds very judgemental.

Some of us are supporting working single parents! Some of us have grandchildren whose fathers contribute not a penny to their children's upbringing! Was this taken into account in the report?

I saw this in the newspaper this morning. All my close friends are involved in either caring for grandchildren one or two days a week, or alternatively funding nursery costs on those days.
I'm happy to do this and so are my friends. If I wasn't happy and able to do it, I wouldn't. My children are very appreciative of the support given to them by both sets of grandparents. I supported one of my children financially and practically when she was abandoned with small children to care for.
We are fortunate in being able to help. If we couldn't, our children would accept that and understand it. I don't feel exploited. I'm glad to be part of their lives. We love having our small grandchildren once a week and the occasional sleep over so parents can work and have the odd night off. What's wrong with that?

Ana Basically the report was saying that Grandparents who are providing regular childcare for their grandchildren, then buy in babysitters to look after the children for part of the time that the GPs are providing childcare , because they find it too much! I look after my grandchildren one day a week, not more because I have other things to do and because I think more would become too much for me! If my son and DIL could not afford to cover other childcare needs I might well help out financially but that is not the same as the report in the paper.

JudthePud2 The report was basically saying that the GPs providing childcare (for whatever reason) then buy in babysitters for part of the time that they (the GPs) provide childcare. So I doubt that the specific scenarios you describe were taken into account

So the report was a load of old rubbish really then?

JudthePud2 I'm with you, we grandparents often have to deal with situations which are all too common these days.

I have never heard of any GPs 'buying in' childcare.

I thought the emphasis was on helping AC with childcare, either by GPs doing the childcare or paying for the nursery costs. I help in both ways, financially and physically, I think many do.

Norah That's not the impression that I got

Might help if you gave us a link to this report, Granmary18, or at least tell us where you read it so we can google it.

Read it in Mail and Telegraph, but can't find section on the buying babysitters for themselves (as opposed to paying for it) ...haven't still got papers , but am sure I didn't misread .. although I'm now questioning that! If I find link I'll post it