I Wish Care Work Finally Receives the Recognition It Deserves

Borrowed Grandparents as Relief

A creative solution to this dilemma is offered by borrowed grandparents. This wonderful idea is realized by the company Granny Angels, founded by Jana Schandua. She has created a way to connect seniors with families. This results in a win-win situation: families receive the much-needed support in their daily lives, while seniors find connection and a meaningful task.

The idea is simple yet brilliant. Seniors who may not have grandchildren nearby or whose grandchildren are already grown can become part of a family again. For families, this means relief that is often urgently needed. The challenges of family life are diverse and often require creative solutions. Especially in times when the pressure on parents is increasing, such models are a real ray of hope.

Balancing Act as a Challenge

On the occasion of the presentation of the Compatibility Award, where Granny Angels is nominated, I spoke with Jana Schandua about the challenges of balancing work and family. As a mother of two, she has found a better balance between work and family through self-employment. However, the biggest struggle remains that societal structures often cannot keep up with the reality of working parents.

Jana shares that the flexibility she has gained through her self-employment helps her immensely. Nevertheless, she sees that many parents, especially mothers, suffer under the pressure to manage everything at once. Societal structures are still not adequately adapted to the needs of working parents. Shorter daycare hours and a high number of vacation days make it difficult to work full-time without completely exhausting oneself.

An example from everyday life: Imagine you have an important work appointment, and at the same time, your child is sick or the daycare is closed. Such situations are not uncommon and present enormous challenges for parents. Without a stable network, it is almost impossible to manage these challenges.

The Path to Becoming a Borrowed Grandparent

But how does one actually become a borrowed grandparent? At Granny Angels, the process is clearly structured. Interested seniors sign up with the organization and go through an application process that ensures they are a good fit for the families. A background check and thorough vetting are, of course, part of the process.

Many of the Grannies have worked in social professions or volunteered before their retirement. They bring a wealth of experience that they can now contribute to family life. And the best part: they can decide how much time they want to invest. This leaves enough room for personal interests and hobbies. This flexibility is a great advantage for both the seniors and the families.

Problems with the Match? No Problem!

Of course, it can happen that the chemistry between a Granny and a family doesn't match. In such cases, no one is forced to continue the support. The Grannies are trained in conflict resolution and can end the support at any time if it no longer feels right. A social worker is available as a contact person to help and find solutions.

Jana explains that it is important to listen to one's gut feeling. If something doesn’t feel right, it should be addressed openly. Children have a keen sense when something is off, and it is important that all parties feel comfortable. This openness and flexibility are crucial for the success of the program.

A Wish for the Future

I wish that care work finally receives the recognition it deserves. Without people who raise children and care for relatives, our system would not function. These contributions must be fairly compensated and recognized as essential.

Jana dreams of a future where care work is valued just as much as other professions. Because without this work, much in our society would not function. The recognition and fair compensation for these contributions are long overdue. It is time for us as a society to rethink and give care work the appreciation it deserves.

Balancing is Everyone's Concern

Jana Schandua's statements are accurate. Often, balancing work and family is made a private issue, even though it is a societal topic. Awards like the Compatibility Award bring the issue into the public eye and spark conversations that can lead to individual solutions.

Will everything automatically change as a result? Probably not. But it is an important step to raise awareness of the issue in society. And perhaps together we can find solutions that make everyday life easier for many families. Ultimately, the topic of balancing work and family concerns us all and is a crucial factor for a fairer and more livable society.