In 1975, our parents went to Europe for six weeks, so our nans moved into the Glen Waverley casa to look after us four kids and the dog. Cool, right? What’s the worst that can happen when nans run the show?

Neita, Mum’s mum, did the housekeeping. And did it on her ear. She was a fantastic cook who’d make ginger creams in five minutes. To this day, I miss her cheese omelettes.

Grandparents are increasingly being called upon to help out with their children’s kids.Credit: Sean Davey

Beatrice was transport chief. She’d only had her driver’s licence for a couple of years since Grandad died, but – aided by Bex powders – gamely squashed us all into her Cortina with the 007 number plates for school runs and grocery shopping.

All good. Until one day Beat fanged it into the garage and out the brick wall at the end, like a slow-mo cartoon scene. Clipping Dad’s silver Ford GT on the way. Watching, my sister and I were delighted and alarmed in equal measure.

Our family bestie Mr Miller had the GT, Cortina and wall fixed, but the real damage was done. The verdict: the nans were past childcare. Their day was done.

That........

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