In old age, people go through physical, emotional and social changes that require constant adaptation. And this must be taken into account by young people who seek support from your parents or grandparents so that they can take care of their little children while they are working or fulfilling some social commitment.
The clinical psychologist Christabel Osorno Cerveraa specialist in adults, families and couples, remembers that people over 60 years old They do not have the same level of response or the same physical abilities as when their children grew up, so before delegate the care of grandchildren should be considered the natural limitations that their bodies now have.
“Older people face many challenges and changes that sometimes people do not take into account. Their response cannot be expected to be the same as that of a young or middle-aged adult,” he warns.
Osorno Cervera indicates that people’s priorities change as their life cycle progresses. “When you are a parent, your priority is your children; but when you reach old age, the priority is once again you”he explains.
For this reason, he insists, grandparents must exercise their role as such, not assume that of parents again.
The psychologist adds that, although Grandparents usually help take care of minors —especially when parents work long hours—, The responsibility of ensuring the safety of children always falls on parents.
“When the children are left in the care of the grandparents, it is the parents who must ensure security. They have to ensure that the grandparents know how to use the telephone, have a balance, have emergency numbers and have the necessary food,” he points out.
She adds that it is also important for children to understand who they will stay with and what they should do in the event of an emergency, according to their age and level of understanding. In it babies casethe attention required is much greater, which can be difficult to cover for older adults with established routines or limited physical conditions.
The law does not require taking care of grandchildren
Osorno Cervera emphasizes that caring for grandchildren is neither a legal duty nor a moral obligation imposed on grandparents.
“Legally, there is no provision that requires grandparents to care for their grandchildren. Some assume it as a moral or family duty, but it is a personal decision”, he emphasizes.
It states that when grandparents feel that caring for grandchildren is a burden or an imposition, it can decrease the quality of care and affect their emotional well-being.
“If they do it out of obligation, there may be a deterioration in the level of attention and also an emotional impact. On the other hand, if they assume it with pleasure and understanding of their limits, the experience can be positive and strengthen family ties,” he says.
According to the clinical psychologist, caring for grandchildren can have different effects depending on the family context. In some cases, it allows older adults to better adapt to retirement from work, al offer them a routine and sense of purpose; but in others it can generate frustration if it alters their activities or personal time.
“Not all grandparents enjoy or want to take care of their grandchildren all the time.. That doesn’t mean they don’t love them. A family visit is one thing and daily care is another, which implies responsibility and constant attention,” he explains.
In that sense, it refers to the case that occurred last September in Tixmehuac, where a four-year-old girl died of asphyxiation while trying to get out of a window while she was under the care of her grandparents. The psychologist reiterates that The legal responsibility for the acts of minors falls on the parentswho retain custody and parental authority, even when the children are under the supervision of others.
“In that case, the parents delegated the responsibility of care to the grandparents, but the legal obligation remains with the guardians, who are the parents. The grandparents do not have a legal obligation to respond to these types of situations,” he indicates.
Osorno Cervera emphasizes the importance of not romanticizing the role of grandparents or assuming that they can replace the role of parents. “Grandparents can provide support, affection and accompaniment, but their priority, at this stage, must be their own well-being,” he concludes.