Avril Moore, an Australian grandmother, has stirred controversy by refusing to take on regular child care duties for her grandchildren. In her opinion piece for The Age, Moore stated that while she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, she does not want to engage in full-day babysitting several days a week, a role often filled by older women. Moore criticized the expectation that grandmothers should assume significant child care responsibilities, arguing that this expectation is rooted in outdated gender roles. She expressed frustration over the additional workload and the criticism that some grandmothers face from parents. Her stance contrasts with the broader trend where many grandparents increasingly help with child care, especially amidst rising living costs. According to the 2022 Families in Australia Survey, a significant number of grandparents provide child care to support working parents and strengthen family connections.
