When school is out for the week and both parents work, is it fair to dump the kids on the grandparents?

[AviatorTom]

An older couple that we know very well live in our neighborhood. Their son and daughter-in-law live a few miles away, and both of them work. School is out this week (Fall Break), so their two school-age kids are spending each day with their grandparents. They pick up the kids in the morning, entertain them all day (including feeding them), and drop them off at home at night.

Is it fair that the grandparents are required to take care of the kids every day of the week that school is closed?

What other options are there?

What would the parents do if the grandparents weren't so close?

[sage2021]

In the State where I live you only have to have them in the care of your child until they turn 13. That's the law.
As far as from birth until age 13, it is up to the parent (2) to find a daycare or a friend, someone from church, but not assume the grandparents will automatically become the babysitters. They didn't work hard all their lives and not be able to have their freedom to do what they want to do with the remaining year they have on this planet.
I was a single mom and I found babysitters, daycare centers and people who watched children in their homes. Yes, it was expensive but that was my child, my responsibility.

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 😊

[Flowersareawsome22]

No it's not it's the son and the daughter in laws responsibility to raised their own kids. The older couple should be enjoying a nice vacation at Cancun. The son and daughter in law decided to have those kids not the older couple. They're done raising kids.

[i_Jedi]

Fair? Maybe sometimes. But if it’s every single time, that’s kinda turning grandma and grandpa into unpaid babysitters. They already raised their kids so they should get to chill and spoil the grandkids when they want to, not because they have no choice.

[DrPepper12]

Voluntary yes. Otherwise fuck off kids. I did my time.

[Red_Arrow]

They can't dump them on the grandparents. If the grandparents enjoy having them they will offer to take care of them. If they don't, they can just say they are busy during that time and the parents will have to find a day care.

[OlderAndWiser]

There is no legal requirement that grandparents assume that duty, of course, so it must be a voluntary decision. Most grandparents are happy to get time with their grandkids.

[exitseven]

I know people that do the very same thing. My wife;s sister and her husband worked very long hours. They dumped their kids off with her parents all the time. I would like it sometimes but not as a full time job/

[Shiprex]

It takes a village to raise a child. Neighbours or relatives are just as helpful as long as they are willing.

[douride2]

It would be nice to check first to see if they may have plans. Some love taking the grandkids others not so much.

[jahaims]

That's part of being a grandparent. I can't wait to help my kids out with their families when they are older.

[Xawyx-2]

Well, most grandparents like to play with their grandchildren.

[Cidknee]

It usually is because they enjoy having them. Just make sure they do.

[Kelly6]

@AviatorTom Dump?

Weird way to say

[AviatorTom]

@Kelly6 The parents didn't ask grandma and grandpa if they could watch the kids, they just assumed that they would and made no other plans.

[RedInnocent69]

I feel like a lot of grandparents enjoy it

[chrissykerdock]

yes it's fair