One way is that we’re in our grandchildren’s lives more than ever before, whether from across the country thanks to Skype and FaceTime or as "granny nannies" — in some cases full time.

Families squeezed by falling real incomes and rising childcare costs are increasingly relying on the generosity of ‘granny nannies’ to help them out.

The nation’s granny nannies carry out £22,000 worth of unpaid chores over the summer holidays, a study has revealed.

Dever-Boaz's mom, Zarita Dever, acts as "granny-nanny" while her daughter is coaching. But Max isn't the most patient sometimes. "Sometimes he's looking for the Dairy Queen," Dever says of her grandchild.