I agree things are different these days as we are a band of "ageing population" as the media point out frequently.I have never had to be a permanent child minder ie, having to collect or mind on regular days each week, but have helped out when needed.
I occasionally help out my Son who is a single parent and has two teenage boys, when its his turn to have them, the money doesnt always run to the amount of food they need, I say as long as I have money, they will never go without.
I was disturbed the other day hearing a person who works in a care home say " he is eighty years old and will die soon anyway" what a cheek I have three years to go before I am there, but how can younger people think like that these days, dont they realise we are all living longer and eighty is still quite young, I am fit and healthy thank goodness, how can people assume you have had it at a certain age? ignorant people I would say.