Mary Jo Galusha, a 67‑year‑old Idaho teacher, relocated to Newark, Delaware in January 2025 to provide 30 hours a week of care for her grandchild Robin, born in late 2024.
The move follows the Bourne family's realization that their childcare bill matched their mortgage, a shock that spurred the grandmother to step in. Stacia Bourne, a psychology professor at the University of Delaware, told NPR that the cost of daycare for her son George, who began attending at age two, was about the same as their monthly mortgage payment.
Childcare for children under five in the U.S. averaged $13,184 a year in 2025, a figure that rivals the rent of many homes. According to Child Care Aware of America, the expense has risen faster than inflation, pushing families toward alternative solutions.
Galusha traded her old Volkswagen Beetle for an SUV with ample space for car seats, then drove across the country to join her daughter and son‑in‑law. "I was ready to retire and move out of Idaho," she said. "The call that Stacia was pregnant made me realize I could help in a way that mattered."
Grandparents nationwide are filling the gaps left by an under‑funded childcare infrastructure. A 2024 AARP poll found that nearly half of grandparents with grandchildren under 18 cared for them at least once a month, averaging 200 hours a year. Experts say this trend is a symptom of rising costs and a lack of flexible, affordable care options.
For the Bourne family, Galusha’s presence means the parents can keep both working full time and still have a trusted caregiver close by. She plans to continue her 30‑hour weekly schedule for the next year, with the family hoping to secure formal childcare once Robin reaches preschool age.