RETIREES should forget minding grandchildren unless this was something they really wanted to do, a retired academic has said.
"Retired people should get rid of roles such as that of granny, always there to help out, ferrying grandchildren around," said Henry Collins, 78, of Cronulla.
"They should also get rid of Mr Fix-It, always on hand to do the gardens or fix the car unless they want these roles."
People close to retirement should make a complete break, not do half a day's work and get rid of the clutter of a three-bedroom house as they waited for the children and grandchildren to visit.
Modern medicine meant retirees could live another 25 years and they needed to make the best of this time by preparing for the new phase of their lives by planning to do something different. It was not enough for people to do the odd crossword puzzle or read a book.
People could get mental stimulation by attending U3A (University of the Third Age) classes.
Since he retired eight years ago, Mr Collins has written several books.
His latest — How to Retire Disgracefully ($14.95) — is at The Best Little Bookshop in Town, 136 Cronulla Street, Cronulla.
