Childcare Costs Drive Families to Grandparent Support

Why it matters locally: Louisiana families, like those across the nation, are likely facing increasing childcare costs, potentially leading more households to rely on grandparent support for childcare needs. While there are no specific state programs or agencies exclusively dedicated to grandparent-provided childcare, this trend could influence state-level discussions on childcare affordability and support for families.

NEWARK, Del. — The escalating costs associated with childcare in the United States have increased the reliance of some families on grandparents for support. Stacia Bourne, a resident of Newark, Delaware, receives assistance from her mother, Mary Jo Galusha. Galusha, a retired schoolteacher, relocated from Idaho to help Bourne's family. This arrangement reflects a broader pattern where families turn to relatives to manage childcare expenses. Historically, grandparents have provided care for their grandchildren. However, current economic conditions, specifically the rising financial demands of childcare, make this familial support increasingly necessary for some parents who find formal childcare options unaffordable.