July 2004

Gran plan to survive childminding

Help is at hand for ethnic grandmothers home alone caring for the grandkids.

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike said a new program would give grandmothers new skills and also provide them with activities to prevent isolation.

‘Grandmothers from ethnically diverse backgrounds will have a healthier, more sociable life under this new Victorian plan,’ Ms Pike said, launching the Grandmothering Across Cultures statewide model.

‘Six years in the making, it will address their isolation by providing culturally sensitive health and well-being programs.’

‘Anyone who has been home alone caring for small children knows it can be a long day on your own.

‘Being an older person caring for bundles of restless energy can make the day seem even longer and, in some ways, more lonely.’

Ms Pike said there was no doubt caring for a grandchild gave even more shape and meaning to an older person’s life.

‘Looking after the kids, however, can make it hard for a grandmother to care for her own health, make new friends and improve her English language skills.’

The Grandmothering Across Cultures model is the work of community agency Women’s Health in the North and the Victorian Cooperative on Children’s Services for Ethnic Groups.

It supports community-based and Government agencies in assisting isolated ethnic grandmothers who care for their grandchildren.

‘Grandmothers from culturally diverse backgrounds not linked to existing groups or networks and who have little contact with mainstream services will also benefit from this project.

‘Full-time childcare costs too much for many families, so some grandmas feel they must step in.’

Ms Pike said it would have cost $500,000 to pay for childcare provided by the 30 grandmothers who are involved in the first phase of this project.

‘In caring for kids, grandmas pass on family traditions, cultural values and, of course, lots of love.

‘But caring always has a cost,’ Ms Pike said.