Granny day care (Childcare in general)

Member Name: mumps

Product:	Childcare in general
Date:	22/04/09 (62 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cuddles, lots of time, memories to store away

Disadvantages: Exhaustion - oh yes I've mentioned that!

Childcare is big business. I live in a small town but even I can name three nurseries within a short drive and half a dozen at least in the area and my youngest is 17 years old so way beyond the nursery stage. Childcare is also expensive, even with vouchers, which are money saving as you can pay for them out of your gross salary. My two grandsons go to nursery three days per week and it costs over £700 per month. When you add the costs of transport, working clothes, lunches etc it makes it difficult for a young mum to actually make much from working.

Step up to the mark granny. Yes I provide free child care two days per week, me and a whole army of grand-parents help our children and grandchildren with the bonus for us of having lots of quality time with the little angels.

There are some drawbacks that I should point out; exhaustion, exhaustion and let me think............ oh yes exhaustion. I sometimes wonder how I brought my own four up as these two really do tire me out. I guess mother nature knew what she was doing when she arranged the menopause!

Other drawbacks? Well you go back to the days of a house full of toys, chicken nuggets for lunch yet again and being an expert on the latest things on children's TV. You also have to read all those books again. I mean with three sons and two grandsons can you even imagine how many times I've read Thomas the Tank Engine or the Mr Men books? I can't even hazard a guess myself.

The advantages? Well it keeps you fit. Getting two littlies in and out of the car, sorting out the buggy (believe me you need an engineering degree to cope with the car seats, buggies etc.) and chasing them round. Cheaper than the gym and more fun too. You get to be a real part of their lives, not just a quick visit at the weekend. You know their likes and dislikes, who their friends are and sometimes you hear things that you don't tell mom and dad you have heard (like what mommy said about auntie May or why daddy has no money.)

The thing I have realised is that I have set the precedent and my other three children will probably expect the same help when they have children. All I can say is "Hurry up before I get to old and feeble to cope."

Summary: Well worth the time and effort