Grannies, those magical human beings with an uncanny ability to make everything better! But did you know that their superhero-like qualities extend far beyond what you might think? Yes, our granny's are the unsung heroes of the welfare state, contributing approximately 20 hours per week to looking after their grandkids. And trust me, this isn’t always easy when we are juggling existing jobs, relationships, partners, elderly parents, friendships, and, oh yeah, our own lives to make way for those precious bundles of joy we call grandkids.
This is not only about money but the full-on service provision of welfare provided by grandparents.
Contributions to the Economy
You walk into the Bank of Granny, where the currency is love, and the interest rates are higher than the Burj Khalifa! Each hour they spend looking after their grandkids can save parents big bucks in childcare. Let’s do some quick math: 20 hours a week at £11.44 per hour (minimum wage) equals a whopping £228 per week. Over a year, that’s £11,856 per granny. Multiply that by the legions of grannies out there, and you have millions being saved for the state.
Social and Emotional Benefits
Forget about Batman and Wonder Woman. Granny, the real superhero, wears cardigans and sensible shoes, right? No way! Burn those sensible cardigans and shoes; I am still wearing my Dirty lady shoes as often as I can. I am still a woman who wants to be sexy, glamorous, and fun (if only I had the energy).
Grannies don’t just save money; they save the day. Their secret weapons? Love, laughter, hugs, and a sprinkle of crazy menopausal memory loss. They offer emotional support that no paid babysitter or nursery can match.
Support for Working Parents
Imagine a world without grandparents—what a terrifying thought! Working parents need us; we make it possible for them to pursue careers, pay bills, and occasionally sleep. Who knew that we could reduce stress (remember the teenage years when we were the only cause of our children’s stress)? Behind every successful parent, there’s a mum who is now a granny making sure little ones don’t stick a fork in the toaster or their fingers in electrical sockets. (This actually happens.)
Life Lessons with Educational Aspects
Before I start, I am a Gen X granny who encourages learning through experience, the ‘Go on, give it a go’ kind of life lesson. ‘You can do it!’ That’s how we learned! Have you seen a Gen X play park? It’s not for the faint-hearted, I’ll tell you.
Who needs artificial intelligence when you’ve got Granny? We are walking encyclopaedias of life lessons and great stories of our own childhood. We grew up in the 70s and 80s. We will introduce them to great music and can tell you how to bake the perfect cake, how to make a meal from literally nothing, and why you shouldn’t eat certain mushrooms. We like to engage in educational activities, share cultural traditions, and provide moral (sometimes immoral) guidance. This is wisdom at its best. Our experience came at a price, but it also gave us a rich, multi-dimensional education that no classroom can replicate (because if they did, they would be shut down by OFSTED).
The Multi-Purpose Granny
I like to think of grannies as the Swiss Army knife of the welfare state, reducing the demand on childcare services and lightening the load on healthcare systems. We try to ensure, where possible, the kids are well-cared-for and loved. We definitely contribute to better health outcomes unless we have encouraged the ‘go on, try it’ of the life lesson without ample supervision. Whoops! I like to think we lower stress levels for the family, but thinking this is a stretch because sometimes my batshit crazy style of grannying does not always fit the new modern way of parenting.
Conclusion
So, next time you see a granny with her grandkids, give her a high-five or a hug if she’s the hugging type (you’ll know by her face)! These everyday heroes deserve all the recognition and gratitude we can give. They might not wear capes, but their contribution to the welfare state is nothing short of super. Here’s to the grannies and grandads (let’s give them a mention) everywhere who are creating their very own welfare state within the family.
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