Retirement Place Reviews

Do you plan to escape from your retirement career as a live-in babysitter for your grandchildren and?

great grandchildren? People seem to be living and working longer, and I noticed in a few cases among my older friends, and even in my own family, that some people expect retired grands to hang around to baby sit for them, or perhaps even raise their kids for them. A friend of mine recently sold her house to her granddaughter for picking up the mortgage, then she moved into her own apartment. Everyone is unhappy about it. But why? Doesn't a woman who is close to 80 years old deserve a little rest? Another friend has been raising her 3 granddaughters for years, though her son, their father, still lives at home. One of the girls was arrested recently. My friend is planning her escape soon, so she doesn't end up with a serious medical problem from the stress. I have a grandchild and I would just love to live nera her and help out. This is different. I'm talking about people whose children and grandchildren are looking for full time live in unpaid help with their kids - people who do not do much to raise their own kids. Is it fair to put this job off on an 80 year old woman? Come on!

Public Comments

1. good luck with that...when my sons start having families, I'm outta here.
2. i have a sister who is stuck in that situation and i truly feel sorry for her -- i know there are days she does not feel like taking care of the kids!!! worse part is she is trying to potty train but the real folks put out no effort so come monday morning she and the child are back to square one!!!
3. Absolutely not! I raised my children, now they can raise their own. I made it clear that I do not babysit.
4. Not in my case, I have no grand childrent and I'm already retired. I've taken to building (my kitchen) and creating art. It is the most fun satisfying thing I've done. I should have done it sooner
5. Interesting question! I am still working fulltime although I have been quite sick this year and am finally dropping a couple of days a week to try and get my health back. I have this awful guilt when I don't spend my time off helping my daughter with her very active 2 year old boy. I have to try and reason with myself - I had no family to help when I had my children and my husband worked long hours and never lifted a finger in the house (or garden). I sometimes think it would be wonderful to move a great distance away so I can escape, but the guilt would stop me.
6. Wow, I never realized people felt that way about their grandchildren. I have two that are 4 and 2 years old.. they are 500 miles away and I would love to be able to "babysit" for them!! They are great fun and so eager to learn new things.. If it were possible I would live close enough to see them a lot more!
7. No, I agree with Calamity. Anyone who thinks they see their grandchildren too much should have them move 500 miles away and see if they still feel that way. I would love to babysit my grandchildren. If my children need to work and need someone to watch their children I am more than happy to do it. I would watch them every day of the week before i would send them to someone who is only doing it for the money. But you have to be able to communicate and tell your children just what you are able and willing to do. You don't need to feel taken advantage of . Tell them what you want.
8. I hope so. When you actually pick up your grand kid it is an experience you just could never have guessed at.