IIRC, it was for ease of management of funds as I age, particularly if I died or was incapacitated before child reached majority. The parents will have the best interests of the child. And there wouldn’t be much of a tax benefit (on the gains) to me at the level I was contributing.
That grandchild is now going to get a sibling. i will ask FA for advice for separate 529s for each child, as I think now the acceptable uses have expanded.
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We are in CA and have two 529s in our Fidelity portfolio. One is in our 2yo granddaughter’s name, the other is in mine for possible future grandchildren. H & S have similar investment philosophies (and both can see GD’s account). They discuss how it’s invested once or twice a year.
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Not every “only child DD” would expect free daycare… just sayin
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Some are ‘give and inch and they take a mile’ - ‘young’ in thinking/taking advantage. Can also be non-only child, maybe only child that lives nearby that has children…
I have two DDs and only one SIL, but have seen some fellas who are taking advantage of mom or grandmas with child care – and not only children. Often have seen this with young single dads.
Neither DD is in our area - Gkids/parents lived 100 miles away until last July when they moved far away, non-contingent state.
So, there was no need to stereotype and call out the “only child.”
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We have 4 grandchildren and we have Ca Scholarshare accounts for them. You would need the SS number of the beneficiary to open. The only research you might look into is what funds you want to invest in.
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I care for my grandchildren often, whenever D and SIL are both at work. It is usually two or three days (or nights!) each week. D usually works 10-11 days or nights each month and SIL works… a lot. They are always very appreciative. I feel privileged to be able to be a part of their lives. I will play games, play outside, do puzzles, read, do art projects, or build with Legos all day long. H has joined in the last few years since retiring. He will play soccer, football, baseball, street hockey, and basketball for hours. Many of the neighborhood kids will also come over to play.
We are just five minutes away - it is so nice!I GS is in school full days now and GD is in half day preschool four days each week. When D begins full day Kindergarten next year, I will be a bit sad.
I still have plenty of time for volunteering at the elementary school, at least one day each week. I also walk / have lunch with friends often.
My grandchildren have their 529s in Utah. It was recommended by their tax guy. We do not live in Utah.
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Some states allow a tax deductions or a tax credit for contributions to a 529 established in the state where you ( in addition to the tax free earnings)
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I want to be available to help with my grandson when he gets here and in past I have been part of daycare plan if needed, especially if there is gap in time born and when slot open in daycare. Now H’s bad health has me tied to house. Stressful and not what I envisioned for this stage of life🙁
I was so lucky that my parents had lots of active years to be grandparents to my girls. I’m not as young as they were as grandparents but I should be able to be an active part of grandchildren’s life
I have a friend in this same position. - hugs, it’s tough. 
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We went over to MD and stayed with our two granddaughters age 5 and 2 while Mom and Dad went to NYC. The girls wore me out. Seriously. I mean, we are assuredly older grandparents but wow. But it was worth every moment. I cherish it. But I sure was tired! LOL.
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GD is coming to stay with me from Friday to Sunday in February. I think we are going to FAO toy store again. American girl store is also next door. Her parents are telling me that I can’t take her to toy stores every time I see her (not sure what is the problem). I am thinking about taking her to Disney World for a weekend in the near future.
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I helped D almost every day when GD was born. D was a difficult baby to soothe, and her D followed in her footsteps. Because I remember how tough it was, I was happy to help D. I felt that it allowed her the space to breathe that I didn’t have.
I never wanted to do full time childcare for grandkids, but Covid meant that they had to wait until a spot opened at a childcare that they wanted. When D went back to work after 3 months, I shared childcare duties with the other grandma. We alternated 2 days one week, 3 days the next. The other grandma travels for 3 weeks a couple times a year, so I did full time those weeks. At 22 months, D started at a wonderful childcare 3 days a week. I get one day & the other grandma gets one day (I get two when she travels). I went over to D’s when GD was little, but because D & SIL work at home, I switched to watching GD at my house once she realized mom & dad were at home. H loves having her over!
I absolutely love being such a big part of GD’s life. She sits in her little chair by the front window, watching for Grandma to come get her. I started out wanting to help just until a daycare spot opened, but now I will be so sad down the road when she’s in school full time.
But it definitely is harder to watch her than it was to watch my own kids. I was so much younger! Both H and I are very physical with GD, and we can feel it the next day.
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Great idea for grandparents: go while they are too little to be allowed to ride crazy gravity-defying rollercoasters, so you can enjoy the more timid rides with them. 
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H and I so want to take our older GD to WDW, but her parents have said no. They want to wait until the baby is also old enough to enjoy, and remember, it, and they want to take them. We’d be okay with funding a trip for all six of us but we hate to wait until the baby is school age or nearly so.
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Amen to that!
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When my kids were growing up my sister would take my kids to the movies. They had a tradition of first going to the bookstore and getting a book. One trip my son came home with an expensive book that had a pirate ship that opened up when you opened the pages. He had been eyeing that book for months but I wouldn’t buy it for him. She would also let them get an Icee, candy and popcorn. We would tell her she didn’t need to get them everything but she loved doing it. She now is loving buying toys, books and clothes for my grandkids. She had no children of her own and is the oldest Aunt.
I have no desire yet to take them to Disneyland. My niece is a Disneyland fanatic and has a yearly pass. We are going to give her the coveted spot of being the Disneyland guide. She loves kids and doesn’t yet have any of her own.
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@mom60 ~ I am sure it is a blessing to her to have you, your children, and grandchildren in her life. I had two aunts like that. They were much loved and much appreciated.
@Silpat ~ D and SIL took GS (6-1/2) and GD (4-1/2) to DisneyWorld in October. I would have loved to have been invited.
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My sister, my only sibling, was always like that with my sons when they were young and still is. We still have Christmas together and occasionally vacation together. She has been very generous to them and very positive in their lives. She walked in my son’s wedding procession (escorted by her other nephew) and gave the only reading. We have been lucky to have her and I think she feels the same.
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One granddaughter was born in May 2020. My son and DIL cobbled together 5 months of leave. They both were working from home. I commuted (D.C. 'burbs,ugh) for almost a year to protect our darling from Covid as long as possible. It was tough but I feel it made us very close. I thought she’d never forget our time together but she is genuinely thrilled to see me now. I get to stay with her on the 26th as it’s a teacher workday at her school. 
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