Arts & Humanities

Changing make-up of families and relationships

Arts & Humanities

Posted by: paradox

27th Nov 2011 09:42pm

It seems to me that relationships and duties within a family circle have changed somewhat in the last few years. More and more of the day to day chores seem to be done by grandparents as Parents are forced to go to work and earn a living. Whether it is due to the present generation wanting to have too many material things or due to the pressure of society I cannot say. I am not judging anyone, this thank god is a free country and people have to live with the choices they make. What I have a problem with is the fact that grandparents have no choice but to be full time carers to their grandchildren and end up doing everything in the house from cleaning, washing and the cooking. Most of us love our Children and grandchildren, but sometimes it becomes a chore that cannot be left undone. Childcare is not affordable any longer nor is it the Ideal way to raise children. But that is only my opinion, what's yours????

Comments 3

des
  • 4th Feb 2012 08:14pm

It's a tough discussion I have raised my boys now but did rely on their grandparents to help out for awhile but when it became too much we started a home based business and I was able to stay home and still earn money as well and after a few years it went so well that my husband left his job and worked in the home business too. So that was ideal for us obviously that cant be done for everyone somehow you just have to find a middle ground as child care is way expensive and I think not really worth using for the benefit you get of being tired and apart from your children. Many people I know now with children have the one partner working full time and the other either part time or full time on a different shift so they always have 1 parent with them and not have to rely on relatives or childcare but that can also be difficult. You have to maintain your relationships and make special time to be together other wise once again it would not be worth the risk .

paradox
  • 4th Feb 2012 11:04pm
It's a tough discussion I have raised my boys now but did rely on their grandparents to help out for awhile but when it became too much we started a home based business and I was able to stay home...

Hi Des, I know that this is a tricky subject and it is precisely why I brought up. As I said, we grandies do not mind helping out, we love it. What happens though is that we feel that unless we constantly help out our children don't seem to cope. It gets pretty tricky when there are three of your children looking for your help and you can only satisfy ones need. Who will you favour more than the other, who is more worthy of your help? I just wonder how my wonderful wife and me coped with one not so great wage and brought up 3 children without all this assistance. Besides you make a good point, is it not more satisfying to have and that special time with your children? You will only get the one chance to see your child grow up. Thank you for your contribution.

Anonymous
  • 25th Jan 2012 11:51am

My opinion is that you are right,the grandparent should not be responsible for there own grandchildren,yeah they might want to help out every now and then but not full time caregivers.I hae a sibling who is taking advantage of the fact that my dad is retired but he is very ill also andeven tho i love my sibling and everything i think its just lazy to not find or caer for their own child and the silly thing is ,is that she doesnt even work.So think thats its not fair for the pressure to look after the child be put o the elderly

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