‘There’s an overwhelming bond of love’: the grandparents whose kids rely on them to raise a family

This piece dives into the growing trend of grandparents becoming primary caregivers for their grandkids, as parents grapple with the soaring costs of childcare. Through the lens of Rita Labiche-Robinson—a retired project manager who now spends her weekdays looking after her 9-year-old granddaughter—the story explores both the deep fulfillment and the unexpected sacrifices of this role. It’s a bittersweet reality for many older adults who imagined their retirement years as a time to relax, not re-enter the trenches of packed lunches and school runs.