Due to shortages in childcare, grandpa and grandma are increasingly babysitting
Grandfathers and grandmothers increasingly play a (major) role in the lives of their grandchildren. The most recent figures (2017) show that Dutch families even rely heavily on grandparents. No fewer than 52% of young parents ask them for help.
For young families with babies, grandparents babysit about twelve hours a week. From kindergarten age, it is about eight hours a week.
Attractive alternative
According to economics professor Janneke Plantenga, the costs of childcare make it attractive to ask the grandparents. She says: “It is quite expensive, especially for middle and high incomes.” The fact that grandparents are often asked is also due to the shortage in childcare. Especially in recent years there has been a major shortage and there are huge waiting lists. Even a day exchange is no longer possible these days. Plantenga: “I can imagine that parents lack the flexibility of childcare. Grandparents do offer that.”
Read also: Concerns about the future of childcare: 75% parents afraid of price increases
Cheaper and accessible
The cabinet wants to make childcare virtually free from 2027. Plantenga thinks – due to the staff shortage in this sector – that this will not ensure that parents bring their child(ren) to childcare more often. However, once childcare becomes cheaper – and therefore accessible to everyone – there is a good chance that grandparents will be asked less often whether they want to babysit.
Receive Kek Mama with a discount and free shipping on your doormat every month! Subscribe now and pay only €4.19 per edition.
Source: NU.nl
