Three generation holidays - essential holiday childcare for a third of parents: a nanny......and grandad

• Almost a third of families (31 per cent) have been on a “three generation holiday”
• Three out of four (75 per cent) parents who have been on a “three generation holiday” say that their parents look after the grandchildren on holiday
• Nearly one in five (18 per cent) parents have taken their mums and dads away specifically to look after the kids
• Grateful parents spend £449.73 saying thank you to grandparents for helping with holiday childcare
   

Research by Churchill travel insurance1 has revealed that almost a third (31 per cent) of parents2 have been on a “three generation holiday” in the past two years, taking their parents on holiday with them and the children.

Grandparents are coming to the rescue by sharing the childcare on family holidays. Three in four (75 per cent) parents who have been away with all three generations say that their parents look after the grandchildren, giving frazzled parents a chance to have some time alone together to relax, whilst affording grandparents quality time with the grandchildren.

While for many busy parents, three generation holidays are an opportunity to spend time with their loved ones, for some it is purely about having trustworthy childcare 24/7, with almost one in five (18 per cent) parents inviting their own parents away specifically so that they can assist with looking after the kids.

Common tasks being undertaken by grandparents on “three generation holidays” are:

• Entertaining the children and taking them on excursions (29 per cent)
• Keeping a watchful eye on the kids while they play outside and swim (26 per cent)
• Looking after their grandchildren while parents are busy in the daytime (24 per cent)
• Babysitting while parents are out in the evening (22 per cent)
• Organising food and drinks for the children (20 per cent)
• Looking after the children on flights and journeys (16 per cent)
• Caring for the children when they are unwell (10 per cent)
   

Tom Bishop, head of travel insurance at Churchill said: "It’s no surprise that ‘three generation holidays’ are so popular. Spending quality time together as a family is important to many of us, so many British families naturally look to extend this to holidays where they can all relax and have fun together. Grandparents understand what it’s like to be a parent and at the same time love doting on their grandchildren, so it’s a win-win all round if they can pitch in to let the parents have a night off together".

Some grateful parents are showing their appreciation for the helping hand grandparents give on these holidays in various ways, including paying for their parents’ flights, accommodation, meals and excursions. According to the survey, the average amount spent on saying thank you was £449.73:

Flights - £99.54 
Accommodation - £95.40
Food & drink - £79.82
Special meal to say thank you - £66.63
Excursion / day trip - £57.57

Leaving the kids at home with a family member or friend is another popular way for parents to secure some time alone together on a romantic getaway, with one in five (19 per cent) parents having done so on a previous holiday. 

Grandparents top the list of those most trusted to look after the children, with over half (54 per cent) of parents who took a break without their children choosing to leave their little ones with their grandparents when taking a break. However it seems that it does not always have to be someone so close to home that parents entrust the care of their children to, with over one in seven (13 per cent) of these parents saying they trusted the parents of their children’s friends to take care of their kids if going away alone.

The most popular types of breaks for parents to go on without the kids were:

1. City breaks (one in three – 33 per cent)
2. Beach holidays (one in four – 27 per cent)
3. Honeymoon (one in ten – nine per cent)
    

--Ends--

Notes to editors

For further information, including regional, age and gender breakdowns, please contact: 
Chloe French 
Media Relations Executive 
Churchill 
chloe.french@directlinegroup.co.uk
0208 285 8848 
07770 640 865

• 1 Opinium Research carried out an online survey of 2,011 UK adults aged 18+ from 24th to 28th May 2013. Results have been weighted to nationally representative criteria. www.opinium.co.uk
• 2 Parents with children under the age of 16
   

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

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