Swedish Grandparents Can Be Paid to Babysit Under New Law

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Swedish grandparents became eligible for paid parental leave this week after the country enacted a trailblazing new law aimed at extending child care benefits beyond a child’s immediate family. Under the change, which took effect Monday, parents are able to transfer a portion of their parental leave days to other caretakers, cementing Sweden’s reputation as a global trendsetter in progressive parental leave policies. The law enables single parents to transfer up to 90 days of paid leave to other caregivers and a parental couple to transfer up to 45 days, according to the Swedish government’s Social Insurance Agency. The law was approved by the Riksdag, Sweden’s 349-seat parliament, last December. Leo Gullbring, 65, a freelance copywriter based in Lund, Sweden, who is expecting his second grandchild in August, said he anticipates stepping in to help his son in the nearby city of Malmo with child care.