Czech grandparents face exhaustion from childcare demands

A survey conducted by NMS Market Research for the UNIQA 2026 Great Family Survey reveals that one in four Czech grandparents feels exhausted by the demands of childcare. While international studies often suggest that caring for grandchildren can increase life satisfaction and a sense of purpose, the Czech data highlights growing pressures on the older generation.

Modern grandparents are increasingly active, maintaining careers, travel plans, and social lives, which can conflict with the logistical needs of their children. This shift is reflected in changing family structures; while many mothers previously relied on grandparents for regular care, data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs indicates that grandparents now participate in regular childcare for only about one in eight families.

As grandparents become less available due to work or distance, parents are increasingly forced to seek professional childcare. However, for many families, the cost of professional help is described as being as significant a financial burden as a second mortgage.