Childcare Costs Drive Families to Grandparent Support

Why it matters locally: The rising costs of childcare are a significant concern for families across Oregon, potentially leading more households to rely on grandparents for support as a cost-saving measure.

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.