Tag Archives for grandparents

America runs on grandparents. Over $900 billion/year in childcare, financial assistance

Published in RINewsToday on July 13, 2026

For many families, grandparents are essential and actively shape how their grandchildren are raised. They quickly step in at a moment’s notice when a child is sick, and pick up grandkids at school when they’re dismissed early. Beyond babysitting and covering unexpected household expenses, they provide a steady presence that keeps families grounded and together.

A newly released AARP Research report examines a universal rite of passage for most older adults: becoming a grandparent. The 23-page report puts a dollar value on a grandparent’s informal support, estimating that, nationwide, they contribute more than $900 billion annually through unpaid childcare and direct financial assistance. From school tuition to clothing purchases, providing allowances, and their help, parents can continue working, easing financial pressure and strengthening family bonds across generations.

The report estimates that grandparents provide a $731 billion in unpaid child care each year, along with another $172 billion in direct financial assistance. On average, they spend nearly 511 hours a year caring for their grandchildren and contribute about $2,654 annually to help cover everyday expenses, child care, education, and other family needs.

Painting a Picture of America’s Grandparents

The report, “Powering Families: The Essential Role of Grandparents in Care, Connection and Support,” offers a comprehensive look as to how grandparents support their families—and the key role they play in the nation’s economy. The numbers tell only part of the story. Grandparents play an essential role in America’s caregiving network.

“America runs on grandparents. Grandparents are one of the most important—and often overlooked—sources of support for American families,” said Dr. Debra Whitman, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Public Policy Officer, when announcing the report’s release in June.

“Through both unpaid caregiving and direct financial assistance, they help parents stay in the workforce, make ends meet, and navigate rising childcare costs. Their contributions strengthen family finances and intergenerational connection, and provide critical support to the broader economy,” Whitman said.

The report estimates that 65 million Americans are actively involved in the lives of their grandchildren. The typical grandparent takes on this role at age 50, is now 68, and has five grandchildren. One in 10 grandparents serves as the primary caregiver for at least one grandchild, assuming legal responsibility for raising them.

The Joys of Being a Grandparent

Most of the respondents report that being a grandparent is a very rewarding experience. Eight-one percent said they feel confident in this role, while 75% feel appreciated. Nearly three-quarters said grandparenting fits in with their lifestyle, and 72% described it as a source of joy.

The two most common reasons grandparents care for their grandchildren are practical and personal: helping parents stay at work (38%) and bonding through spending quality time with their grandchildren and showing their love (35%).

Like many Americans, grandparents express concern about inflation and the resulting rising prices. Nearly half (45%) said the cost of living and its impact on their grandchildren is their biggest worry. Other leading concerns expressed by the respondents include gun violence (30%) and access to quality education (28%).

When asked about the challenges their grandchildren face, grandparents cited most often education and learning (22%), maintaining strong family relationships (21%), and emotional well-being (21%).

This report also reinforces how location can shape today’s grandparenting experience. Half of grandparents have at least one grandchild living nearby them, while 28% said they lived with their children during the past year.

Technology Can Bridge Distances

According to the report, digital technology helps to bring grandparents and their grandchildren together, especially for those who live farther apart. Seventy-six percent of grandparents say texting, social media, video calls, and group chats help them stay connected with their children and grandchildren.

The report also reflects the changing demographic makeup of American families. Nearly one in four grandparents (23%) has a grandchild who is biracial, multiracial, or of a different race or ethnicity. In addition, 9% have grandchildren of a different faith, and 7% have grandchildren who identify as LGBTQ+.

Behind every statistic is a grandparent who rearranges a work schedule, opens a wallet, or changes personal plans to help a son, daughter, or grandchild. Yes, taken together, the findings show that today’s grandparents do much more than spoil their grandchildren. They are caregivers, financial backstops, mentors, for many families, the dependable people who step in whenever they’re needed.

According to the researchers, the report is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 3,300 U.S. grandparents age 35 and older. The study was conducted in late 2025, along with in-depth interviews exploring their experiences.

To read “Powering Families: The Essential Role of Grandparents in Care, Connection and Support,” go to https://datastories.aarp.org/social-leisure/relationships/the-essential-role-of-grandparents/

To read the report’s key findings, go to  Powering Families: The Essential Role of Grandparents in Care, Connection and Support: Key Findings

Go to 2018 Grandparents Today National Survey to read the findings, go to 2018 Grandparents Today National Survey

___

To read more articles by Herb Weiss, go to:  https://2×8.ea2.myftpupload.com/herb-weiss/

Grandparents Take an Active role in Parenting and Caregiving

Published in Pawtucket Times on August 12, 2002

Susan Sweet, an elder rights advocate and a full-time consultant to nonprofit groups, has a jam-packed schedule that consumes much of her time.

However, the East Providence resident puts her two small grandchildren at the top of her schedule.

Grandparenting is the best time in Sweet’s life, who noted this role allows her to share both life experiences and wisdom with Zackary, age seven and a half and his sister Erika Lee, who is almost 10 months.

“My job as a grandparent is to expose Zackary and Erika Lee to things that they would not other wise be exposed to,” the 61-year-old Sweet says.

New experiences with the youngish grandmother include exposure to the world of music, art and cultural and ethnic diversity of the world.

With her grandchildren living on Cape Cod, Sweet keeps in constant contact through e-mail and telephone calls. Zachary visits grandma every two weeks, where she takes him out and about the Providence Children’s Museum, Waterfire and even to the aquarium in Mystic, Conn. Erika will get her turn to visit Sweet when she gets older.

“Grandparents are magical to their grandchildren,” especially those who don’t have the burden of everyday parenting responsibilities, Sweet insists. Moreover, the elder generation becomes the repository of a family’s history, where grandchildren can learn where they came from.

Like Sweet, grandparents across the nation are becoming actively involved with intergenerational parenting and caregiving, and this role is becoming more commonplace.

A newly released AARP study finds that aging baby boomers and seniors are taking a more active role in raising their grandchildren.

Almost half of those surveyed were under 50 when their first grandchild was born. The ages of those surveyed ranged from 45 6o 100 years, with a mean age of 64.

According to the AARP study, today’s grandparents believe they are teaching their grandchildren values and family history, entertaining them and listening to their problems.

About 68 percent of those surveyed see a grandchild every one or two weeks, and almost 24 percent say they see their grandchild from once a month to once every few months.

However, the study found that a principal barrier to more frequent contact was living too far away – almost 45 percent of the respondents said their grandchildren live more than 200 miles away from them. Another barrier to frequent contact was the grandchildren’s busy schedules (22 percent).

In those case, grandparents reach out and touch a loved one by phone – eight in 10 grandparents (80 percent) contacted a grandchild by telephone at least once every couple of weeks.  A smaller number (12 percent) reported using traditional mail  (i.e. letters, greeting cards, or videos) at least once every couple weeks, and 54 percent sent traditional mail at least every few  months.

The AARP survey found the most popular topics of conversation between grandparents and grandchildren are issues relating to school (84 percent), morals or values (78 percent), planning future visits (72 percent) and daily activities (72 percent).

However, conversations between grandparents and their grandchildren did not shy away from sensitive topics.

Almost 65 percent speak with their grandchildren about religion and spirituality. Conversations also centered on cigarettes (47 percent), alcohol (43 percent) and illegal drug use (45 percent). Almost a quarter (24 percent) said they talk with their grandchildren about sex.

Grandparents are also providing significant financial support for their grandchildren on a day-today basis. On average, grandparents report they spend $500 a year on their grandchildren with many spending money on their basic daily needs. About 52 percent provide financial help with the educational needs of their grandchildren, and almost 45 percent report they hep with living expenses. Meanwhile, about 25 percent say they assist with a grandchild’s medical expenses.

Fifteen percent of grandparents reported they provide child day-care services for their grandchildren to assist the working parent, nearly 24 percent of those also say they provide such care at least once a week to once every couple of weeks while the parents are not at work. Almost 80 percent who provide child care are looking after one or two grandchildren; another 17 percent care for as many as three or four grandchildren.

Finally, the survey finds that grandparents of all ages are involved in some form of physical activity with their grandchildren. More than half (53 percent) have exercised or played sports with their grandchildren within the past six months, and at least half in each age group engage in such activities with grandchildren.