By Helen Hunter, ACSW, CMSW
(Page 1 of 2)
Grandparents raising grandchildren have received
considerable attention in recent years. Many
observers perceive grandparent care to be a growing
phenomenon. Nearly six million children and 1.5
million grandparents currently live in
grandparent-grandchild households. One in five of
the older caregivers lives below the poverty level.
One million are single grandmothers. These
households face unique daily challenges. Besides
exhaustion, these grandparents face an overwhelming
array of emotional and social concerns as they raise
their grandchildren. Grandparents might feel angry
or resentful, since they were looking forward to
leisure time in retirement and must now put those
plans on hold. They might feel guilty and feel
responsible because their child cannot care for
their own children. There are also feelings of
stress: are the decisions being made for the
grandchildren the best ones? Many grandparents also
feel lonely, since many of their peers are not in
the same role and don’t truly understand the demands
that they face daily.
Social issues may include dating, drugs, alcohol,
emotional and health problems, learning
difficulties, financial strains, legal questions and
social isolation. When coupled with their own health
and financial issues, grandparents find themselves
faced with sacrificing their own needs for the
benefit of the grandchildren, so that they can have
a better life.
Where, you may ask, is the middle generation, the
children of the older generation and the parents of
the grandchildren? They may be physically around,
but cannot provide the daily emotional and financial
care needs to their children, due to physical or
mental illness, substance abuse, economic troubles,
recent separation or divorce or unemployment. They
may be incarcerated, have left the area altogether
or be deceased. The older generation, the
grandparent, assumes the responsibility for daily
care, as a natural answer to helping family members
in need.
As an answer to the ever-growing number of
grandparents raising grandchildren, a number of
agencies have developed programs to assist the older
generation face the challenges of this demanding
caregiving role. A phone call to the local Area
Agency on Aging or the local Grandparent Resource
Center can provide information on financial,
childcare and legal assistance, as well as parenting
tips. Grandparents should also consider joining a
support group specifically meant for those serving
as the main caregivers of their grandchildren. Just
knowing that others are faced with the same daily
challenges can be very comforting. Support group
participants not only make new friends and learn
from others, but also gather a wealth of information
and services available in the community to help them
cope with their new parenting role. Connecting with
a faith community can provide grandparents with
services, such as respite care, child care and
transportation, which can be very helpful,
particularly in times of need.
