Grandparents feel pressured to take on more childcare responsibilities than they want, according to a new study.
The problem for some grandparents was particularly acute when their daughter or daughter-in-law had to work, researchers found. "Most are prepared to help when needed, but some are adamant that they also want time for themselves," says Lynda Clarke, lead researcher of the study carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Centre for Population Studies.
The research, Grandparenthood: its meaning and its contribution to older people's lives, found that grandparents played a vital role in supporting families - particularly in the event of family breakdown, where they provided practical, emotional and sometimes financial support.
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