The website was co-founded by Verity Gill and her mother Lorna Edwardsafter they realised there was a lack of information and support forgrandparents looking after their grandchildren.
Lorna Edwards, who is now retired, cares for both of her grandchildren,travelling from her home in Suffolk to Essex and East Dulwich, after herdaughters struggled with childcare.
Verity said, 'It was really hard finding a nursery place, as EastDulwich is a family-orientated community. I found that sending my childto nursery three days a week would cost a lot more than two days aweek.'
She added, 'Mum already looks after my sister's children and offered tolook after my daughter when I am working on the website and she is notat nursery.'
In response to the growing number of grandparents caring for theirgrandchildren, which Verity believes has primarily been caused by therise in childcare costs, the mother-daughter team have created thegrandparents' charter.
The purpose of the charter is to enable parents and grandparents to setclear boundaries in regards to childcare, acting as a reference forgrandparents to avoid any unnecessary arguments.
Covering everything from who will discipline the child to what food thechild will eat and who will provide it, Verity hopes it will helpgrandparents and parents to feel more comfortable.
By setting these ground rules themselves, Verity and Lorna were able toagree when Lorna would be required to take care of her granddaughter, asVerity is often at home working on the website.
Looking after her grandchildren has also meant that Lorna now feels morepart of the family and can enjoy watching them hit their firstmilestones.
Verity said, 'Taking care of her grandchildren keeps my mum more activeand gives her a routine now that she is retired.'
She added, 'I trust my mum more than anyone, so they have build a strongbond as my daughter sees how much I trust her and she feels morecomfortable'.
In the future, the mother-daughter team hope to expand grannynet, asmore people become aware of the website and the information and supportit provides.
Further information:
E-mail Verity Gill: verity@grannynet. co.uk or visitwww.grannynet.co.uk.