Childcare in Spain is limited primarily to private family arrangements. This is due to a lack of nationalized childcare centers and the high cost of employing private nannies. Instead, mothers use their own mothers as economical, readily-available babysitters.
Quick Stats
- 52% have their mothers take care of preschool-aged grandchildren
- 44.5% have their mothers take care of children after school
Benefits of Grandmothers as Caretakers
- Flexibility: Grandmothers can be available mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends as needed.
- Cost: Grandmothers are eager to help and do not charge for their services.
- Security: Parents implicitly trust their own family to take care of their children more than non-family members.
- Extra Help: Grandparents are often willing to help with other household needs, like cleaning or doing laundry.
- Mutual Benefits: Parents believe their own mothers are happy to continue being active housewives rather than being inactive during their retirement years.
