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The changing role and responsibilities of being a grandparent

The changing role of being a grandparent

Rochelle Conway is a grandmother of five. When she first became a grandma, she imagined spoiling her grandchildren with chocolate and toys and then after lots of kisses and cuddles handing them back over to their mummy for all the tears and tantrums. However, with the cost of childcare being so high, Rochelle has had to become more involved in the upbringing of her grandchildren. ‘I regularly look after the kids, sometimes just for half a day and sometimes two or three days a week, but when my youngest daughter returns to work in a few months I will be having her little one a couple of days a week.’ Rochelle’s story is not unusual, as most families rely on two incomes and cannot afford full time childcare.

Rochelle finds that the hardest part of looking after the kids is the responsibility of their discipline and safety. With her own house to run she has to take the grandchildren with her during weekly chores such as food shopping. “When I take the kids to the supermarket it can be a nightmare because I just don’t have the energy to chase after them like I did with my own kids and I worry that one will run off while I’m seeing to the other, then I went shopping in Boots and IdentiKids wristbands caught my eye.” With an IdentiKids wrist band important contact information such as a mobile telephone number is easily accessed meaning a lost child can be quickly identified and reunited with their guardian. “I find it reassuring that even though I am doing all I can to prevent them from being lost, should the worst happen, I can be quickly and easily contacted.”

As an expert in child safety Nadine Lewis, Managing director of IdentiKids recommends the use of identification wristbands to help ensure the well being of children when out in public. ‘Grandparents these days have a big responsibility in looking after their children and it’s a different era to when their kids were young. When out with their grandparents kids can take liberties that they wouldn’t with their own parents such as running off or being naughty.’

In terms of discipline mother of one Leanne Cohen recommends the use of reward boards as well the use of ID wristbands. ‘I will be returning to work shortly and my mother will be taking care of my child. She is worried about disciplining her because she doesn’t like being strict with her grandchildren, but I will be relying on my mum to help install good behaviour in my daughter. We have decided that the best way to encourage good behaviour, especially when out of the house, is the use of reward boards because then Grandma can still spoil her granddaughter whilst encouraging good behaviour.’