Seven Five Year-Olds

Lewis [1] is five years old and lives with his parents and older brother in a household that is financially comfortable compared to many others in Shetland. Both of his parents are in steady, skilled jobs – a nurse and a classroom assistant, and together they earn more than most families around them. After tax and mortgage payments (they own their own home), their disposable income is almost £33,000 a year [i], or around £633 a week. Around two‑thirds of households have less than this. Even so, living in Shetland means that money does not stretch as far as it might elsewhere.

The family live within easy reach of town, with work, school, and childcare close by. This accessibility has made it possible for both parents to maintain good jobs, reducing some of the stresses that distance and transport costs create for other families. They also have extended family nearby, and this network of siblings, cousins, and grandparents allows childcare to be shared in ways that make everyday life more manageable. Last‑minute problems can be solved, and responsibility does not fall on one person alone.

This relative financial flexibility allows Lewis’s family to absorb rising costs with less strain than many others. Unexpected expenses do not immediately destabilise their household. Lewis benefits from this stability in tangible ways: extracurricular activities are affordable, clothing is good‑quality and often shared from his older brother, and healthier food choices are within reach. His parents have the time and energy to support his interests and development, rather than being consumed by constant budgeting.

At home, Lewis experiences a predictable routine in an organised environment. His parents’ attention is not dominated by financial anxiety, allowing them to focus on family life and long‑term planning. This gives Lewis a strong sense of security. Yet this comfort does not isolate the family from worry or responsibility. Lewis’s dad, in particular, is conscious of how easily circumstances could change, and of the pressures facing other families in their community.

Much of this concern centres on Lewis’s uncle, who has severe learning disabilities. Lewis’s grandparents have been his uncle’s primary carers for many years, a role that has always been demanding but is becoming increasingly difficult as they age. Growing up, Lewis’s dad saw first‑hand how caring responsibilities shaped his parents’ lives. His mum missed out on opportunities, social connections, and freedom, partly because of the practical demands of care and partly because of the stigma that surrounded disability when he was young. He remembers people talking, and the quiet effort his parents made to shield their children from judgement.

Now those responsibilities are becoming heavier again. His grandparents are ageing rapidly, worn down by years of worry about what will happen when they can no longer provide care. Although some respite is available, it is not enough to meet the full need. Lewis’s dad, as the nurse in the family and someone others naturally turn to, is increasingly aware that responsibility may soon fall to him. He worries about what that would mean, for his own family, his work, and their future stability.

There are small positives. Lewis is pleased to see his gran being encouraged to attend a walking group, giving her space to focus on herself and reconnect with others. New community services are also beginning to support his uncle in practical ways. These changes matter, but they do not remove the underlying uncertainty. Like many families, they are navigating a future shaped by caring responsibilities that remain largely invisible in income statistics.

Lewis himself benefits from a nurturing and opportunity‑rich childhood. Stability is taken for granted, and his world feels secure. Yet his family’s story shows that even relative comfort carries obligations and anxieties that shape decisions across generations. Lewis’s life is cushioned by resources, but shadowed by responsibility, care, and an awareness that security is never guaranteed.