As the cost of child care continues to rise and day care waitlists grow longer, more families are turning to a familiar and trusted solution: grandparents. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 2.7 million children in America are currently being raised by their grandparents — a number that continues to grow as families search for affordable child care alternatives. At Parker’s Learning Center off Livingston Avenue in Columbus, classrooms are full, and enrollment is at capacity. “We are at our capacity right now,” said Tawana Parker, the center’s owner. “So if we have a parent that comes next saying, ‘Hey, I have two school-agers that are out of school,’ we’re going to have to turn her away.” Parker said many of the families she works with would love to rely on relatives for help, but that option often isn’t available. “A lot of grandparents live out of town. A lot of aunts and uncles live out of town,” Parker said. For those who do live nearby, the help can be life-changing. Julie Doucet, a childbirth educator at OhioHealth, said many grandparents are choosing to retire early so they can step into caregiving roles for their grandchildren. “Parents have less stress,” Doucet said. “They feel more comfortable having a family member watch their baby, and it’s a great relationship that grandparents and grandchildren are going to have.” OhioHealth has seen such an increase in this trend. It recently launched a “crash course” for grandparents to help them adapt to modern parenting standards — something that has changed significantly over the past few decades. “We talk a lot about safe sleep — the ABCs,” Doucet explained. “'A' is for ‘Alone.’ We’re not going to have any pillows or bumpers.” "B" stands for back, meaning babies should not lie on their stomachs or sides while sleeping; and "C" is for crib, which should be free of blankets, stuffed animals and toys. The economic pressures driving this shift are significant. According to Child Care Aware of America, the average cost of infant care in the U.S. is around $12,000 a year. A survey by the nonprofit Groundwork Ohio found that nearly one-third of parents are choosing to stay home rather than pay for day care. At the same time, a report from The Senior List found that grandparents who take on caregiving responsibilities are spending an average of $4,000 a year out of pocket to help raise their grandchildren. For some, the choice to help is more than practical — it’s deeply emotional. Steve Fisher, who is expecting his first grandchild in July, said he’s ready to step in whenever needed. “I’m excited because it’s the first grandbaby. I’m ready to help,” he said. “I told them, when you’re ready, just drop them off. Day, week, night, weekend — we got it. Open-door policy.” To sign up for OhioHealth's grandparenting course, click here.