I know grandparents who charge $$ to babysit even for a few hours. Millennials will hopefully bring back the 'generational' family living & helping each other through life. I already tell my 4 kids (aged 2-9) regularly that they need to live near us so all grandkids, kids, cousins can grow up together. **** Retirement isn't about sitting around all day doing nothing for 20-30 years b/c you "worked hard to raise kids & a job" Retirement is you now have the hours to do some part-time fun stuff and the other part is helping the next generation.
I know grandparents who charge $$ to babysit even for a few hours. Millennials will hopefully bring back the 'generational' family living & helping each other through life. I already tell my 4 kids (aged 2-9) regularly that they need to live near us so all grandkids, kids, cousins can grow up together. **** Retirement isn't about sitting around all day doing nothing for 20-30 years b/c you "worked hard to raise kids & a job" Retirement is you now have the hours to do some part-time fun stuff and the other part is helping the next generation.
Interesting the 'best life' for a 60-70 year old is sitting around watching TV or going on a couple cruises per year vs. helping raise the next generation
@JoeCassandra Here's another take: I see my mom helping raise my sister's kids. She loves them but she's exhausted and it's just too much to do all the time. She already raised 4 kids of her own. She feels obligated because her parents helped her raise her 4 kids. But it's SO much of her time.
@JoeCassandra My mom was terrible at ever being there for my kids, even when she had years of opportunities. Now they are teens, all that time was wasted, and no relationship with her. Sad how some grandparents don’t seize the fleeting moments. I hope I never turn out that way.
@JoeCassandra Controversial take: it’s only my “white American” friends that have this problem. I am ofcourse white but Hispanic and do not have this problem
@JoeCassandra I know a lot of adult children that use their parents as babysitters and atms. The kindest thing parents can do is teach their child not to depend on anyone. Sounds like grandma doesn’t want to babysit. Nothing wrong with that.
@JoeCassandra Exactly. If you aren’t eagerly, frequently, regularly spending time with your adult children (who you hopefully raised to be amazing, loving people) and their spouses and children, then you are TOTALLY missing out on one of the major dividends of raising a family.