Grandmothers' Use of Routines to Manage Custodial Care of Young Children

ABSTRACT

Principles of grounded theory guided a qualitative analysis of the occupational nature of late-life parenting among four grand- or great-grandmothers raising grandchildren and four typical age mothers. Semi-structured interview and video of in-home childcare routines furnished data relevant to understand how custodial grandmothers re-engage in the parental role after age 60 despite contextual barriers and age-related limitations. When presented with the situation to care, grandmothers activate prior role competencies and enfold the child into existing routines with only subtle contextual adaptations. Findings conceptualize the strength of prior experience as grandmothers make wise use of routine to meet the physical demands and energy challenges posed by late-life parenting.

KEYWORDS. :

• aging
• grandparent
• grounded theory