Half of Parents ‘Expect’ Grandparents to Look After Kids

March 21, 2011 - PRLog -- The UK’s leading discount and voucher code website, http://www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk has conducted a study into the attitudes  of British parents towards childcare and babysitting, with 1, 428 parents of children aged 12 and under subsequently taking part.

The study, conducted by http://www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk,  revealed that just under half, 48%, of British parents admit to 'expecting' their children's grandparents to look after their children at their request; with two fifths, 42%, of the parents taking part claiming to leave their children with grandparents 'at least once a week.'

Despite this, just 11% of the parents taking part in the study claimed to ever pay grandparents childcare costs after babysitting their children. Of the 89% who did not pay, the majority, 57%, explained that this was because they felt as though they 'shouldn't have to pay family members' for caring for their children.

Furthermore, a third, 32%, of the parents who ‘expected’ their parents to look after their children admitted to regularly ‘spontaneously' leaving their children with grandparents without prior arrangement.

According to the results from http://www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, a quarter, 24%, of the total respondents taking part in the study 'won’t' leave their children with anyone other than family members. When asked to stipulate further why this was the case, the majority, 69%, stated it was because of a ‘fear for their child’s safety with a stranger’.

Mark Pearson, Chairman of http://www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk commented on the findings:

“It was interesting to see that many parents simply expect their own parents to care for their children whenever they need. Of course, most grandparents want to spend time with their grandchildren; but it was interesting to see that many parents simply assume that this will be the case - particularly if they are never paid for their time!

He continued:

“Finding the right babysitter can be difficult, and many parents naturally feel more comfortable leaving children with trusted family members. This is an extremely personal choice, but parents should be aware that there are thousands of great babysitting and childcare services available in local areas. These babysitters will be fully trained and equipped to cope with whatever situation your child may throw at them, and more importantly will give you an alternative should the grandparents have made other plans."

ENDS

LINK: http://www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk.  

For more information please contact Charlotte Horsfall of 10 Yetis Public Relations on charlotte@10yetis.co.uk or 01452348211.

Editor’s Notes

Mark Pearson, Chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk is a regular media contributor regarding online shopping and the credit crunch. At 29, his personal worth is more than £30 million.

Mark was previously a trainee chef working for Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, London.

MyVoucherCodes has had sales exceeding £481m in the last year.

Consumer savings on online shopping via MyVoucherCodes.co.uk up from £28m in 2008 to £52m in 2009.

MyVoucherCodes is the UK’s most popular discount site.