We have a one year old and we just can't lean too much on our MIL. She is eager to spend time but, while she won't admit it, can't deal with him for long periods of time on her own. And we don't want her driving home late so we have to do earlier dates. Maybe once a month we can call on her.
I was basically raised by my own grandmother but she was in her early 40s during that. Since we chose to have kids later, we can't expect a fraction of that energy from my ~60 year old MIL.
It seems like this is just saying "life is getting more complicated and difficult for everyone, including grandma." Yeah, surviving under capitalism and the increasing complexity of modern life is rough.
They're certainly more I could add, like it's called that because we have always relied on women doing unpaid labor, and this is just another symptom of that, and so on.
You’ve completely left out the gust of the article which is that the physical labor of caring for young children is much much harder when the carer is elderly. In fact, it can be impossible for some people
Yes, I don't mean to be obvious but people should be aware that caring for children is difficult work and old people will struggle more with it. That seems like beyond common sense.
Most grandparents are older than in previous generations. It’s great if they can physically hack it, but toddlers are heavy! Compare this to previous gens where grandparents were I their 40s, 50s and early 60s. If grandma is 75 she’s absolutely not as physically able as a 55 year old. Some parent are shocked and mad that grandma says she can only do it for a day or two per week. Entitled.
If grandma's 65 or 70, she had a pretty good run. She was born at a fortuitous time in our country's life span and probably had an easier road to building wealth. Time to give back. (Granddad too, btw.)
Middle class parents these days have it much harder and a grandparent that can help is a godsend.
It’s the physicality sometimes. Lifting and stooping, chasing toddlers is very hard in the creaky old body of many seniors. No matter how much we love it, we can’t do it like young people can.
dontwanna-cantmakeme | 3 hours ago
Research shows being around grandkids can help keep grandparents healthy.
But having responsibility over those kids is detrimental to their health.
deskbeetle | an hour ago
We have a one year old and we just can't lean too much on our MIL. She is eager to spend time but, while she won't admit it, can't deal with him for long periods of time on her own. And we don't want her driving home late so we have to do earlier dates. Maybe once a month we can call on her.
I was basically raised by my own grandmother but she was in her early 40s during that. Since we chose to have kids later, we can't expect a fraction of that energy from my ~60 year old MIL.
SeasonPositive6771 | 3 hours ago
It seems like this is just saying "life is getting more complicated and difficult for everyone, including grandma." Yeah, surviving under capitalism and the increasing complexity of modern life is rough.
Laura9624 | 2 hours ago
No, that's not what its saying. Although you do explain it well by ignoring the problems stated.
SeasonPositive6771 | 2 hours ago
Then what do you think it is saying?
They're certainly more I could add, like it's called that because we have always relied on women doing unpaid labor, and this is just another symptom of that, and so on.
suchabadamygdala | 26 minutes ago
You’ve completely left out the gust of the article which is that the physical labor of caring for young children is much much harder when the carer is elderly. In fact, it can be impossible for some people
SeasonPositive6771 | 23 minutes ago
Yes, I don't mean to be obvious but people should be aware that caring for children is difficult work and old people will struggle more with it. That seems like beyond common sense.
Laura9624 | 2 hours ago
Sadly, its not understood until people are actually that age. So never. Grandparents might need to make different choices.
suchabadamygdala | an hour ago
Most grandparents are older than in previous generations. It’s great if they can physically hack it, but toddlers are heavy! Compare this to previous gens where grandparents were I their 40s, 50s and early 60s. If grandma is 75 she’s absolutely not as physically able as a 55 year old. Some parent are shocked and mad that grandma says she can only do it for a day or two per week. Entitled.
youre_soaking_in_it | an hour ago
If grandma's 65 or 70, she had a pretty good run. She was born at a fortuitous time in our country's life span and probably had an easier road to building wealth. Time to give back. (Granddad too, btw.)
Middle class parents these days have it much harder and a grandparent that can help is a godsend.
suchabadamygdala | 59 minutes ago
It’s the physicality sometimes. Lifting and stooping, chasing toddlers is very hard in the creaky old body of many seniors. No matter how much we love it, we can’t do it like young people can.
kateinoly | 45 minutes ago
Seriously?