I want to develope a highly recognizable website where retired citizens, registered as Grandparents4Rent, can be introduced and meet Host Families who have children of all ages that are in need of the wisdom and skills grandparents have to offer.
As each grandparent joins, registers and meets application requirements, Host Families will also join, register and meet application requirements. Grandparents and Host Families, whether local or throughout the United States can meet to, talk to, email or otherwise get to know each other in hopes they might start up a relationship where the family 'rents' the grandparent for specific needs.
There's much more involvement, too much to post here, but so far, what do you think about the idea?
I'll be glad to answer anyone's questions.

Everyone has something to give.

Great idea, I know that all of my friends are very jealous that my folks are able to see my kids each day.
People need grandparents!

Yes, background checks will be a must.

I also think that once the families approve of one another that the grandparents come over to 'visit' and in a sense babysit, so the parents can get some work done!!!
The parents wouldnt leave the house , just do laundry or computer work.

good luck

Awesome idea, especially for the grandparents w/o families, or relatives far away.
The background checks make me think of a company that finds Nannys for children, they always do background checks.
Leah Oviedo
Mercado del Mundo

Fantastic idea! This is something that the Aids orphans here in South AFrica can REALLY do with.

I suggest that you target specific old age homes and retirement villages for your grandparents, and nearby schools for the the kids. Maybe involve the school guidance centre and involve troubled kids who are not rotten enough to kill the grandparents, but can do with the guidance. A few quick successes will go a looong way to stabilize your idea as compared to starting up with a BIG BANG involving unwieldy numbers.

Good Luck!
Xcal

You have an interesting idea but -

1) how do you plan on making money on this? Just based on advertising?
2) how much investment money do you have? It is going to cost you a lot of money to develop the technology that you need to run this type of website - you can't just do it with off the shelf software. So, I'm thinking you need at least a few hundred thousand before you even launch (despite what you might hear online - custom programing - good programming - is not cheap).
3) I can see why older people would be interested in this because they probably want companionship but what would be the interest for younger folks? What's the appeal in talking to old people (to be a bit crass)? Kids don't even like talking to their own parents much less someone whose going to pretend to be their parent.

Maybe you've thought about some of these issues already?

Sorry for being a bit harsh.


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