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Grandparents provide a safety net during COVID

Posted at 2:04 PM, Sep 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-20 16:04:15-04

The coronavirus pandemic has upended work and school life for so many families, who are only able to rebound from the fallout because of the safety net grandparents are providing.

It's said, you never know the love of a grandparent until you become one. Laurie Matzelle is grandma to Anson, who is 4 and Ali, who is 1 and Megan is Laurie's daughter.

She is a single mom who works two jobs, at a bakery and in real estate to make ends meet.

"I was working 5 days a week from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. day cares were closed," said Megan.

Like so many working parents the pandemic turned her life upside down and she didn't know what she was going to do with her kids.

Then Laurie stepped in and became their child care provider. She said it was fated since she had just quit her job in February but the demands of this work are different.

"I know why women my age do not have children! They're wonderful but yeah, it's exhausting!" said Laurie.

And although it's exhausting, Laurie continues to care for the children today."To see them growing as they do and be there when Ally takes her first steps and all these things, she's learning words now and really growing it is a blessing. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"It means so much to me I don't know how I can every repay her," said Megan. "She's just my angel."

For more resources to help you through the financial impacts of the coronavirus, please visit our website KPAX dot com slash Rebound.

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The Rebound: Montana