PARS - Grandparents Raising Grandkids

Grandparents Raising Grandkids

Grandparents, who have assumed the parenting responsibilities for grandchildren, are not new phenomena. However, in the last twenty years, grandparents have had to play parenting roles more and more often. The reason for this are many, but one of the most common is due to drug and alcohol abuse among young parents.

U.S. Census Bureau estimates, based on 1994 statistics indicate, that 1.3 million children under 18 years of age live in a grandparent-headed home without a parent present. An additional 2.3 million live with one or both parents present in a grandparent headed home. The 2000 Census may find those figures even higher and more accurate since one question on the census form asks specifically about relationships of persons in the home. However, these figures do not include homes where a grandparent lives in a family home and takes some child care responsibility.

A wide variety of issues involve grandparents raising grandkids and nearly always include legal issues, e.g., custody, adoption, guardianship; and financial concerns, e.g., parental support, agency assistance eligibility, and health insurance, Other related problems, include sibling conflict, anger at absent parents, guilt, physical demands, and loss of friends who no longer have similar interests.

Almost without exception, grandparents continue to have hope that their child, the parent of their grandchildren, will eventually become a responsible parent and resume their rightful role as a loving parent. Sadly, this hope all to often is not realized.

In addition, all of the normal parenting issues are visited upon grandparents when their physical energy may be less able to meet the demands of the challenge. A skipped generation of parenting practices may also cause unique problems creating misunderstanding by both the grandparent and grandchild. School related social events become paramount and old friends fade away because of changed interests. Finding affordable childcare and arranging it around a work schedule may become an additional burden.

To help address this growing problem and challenge presented to many grandparents, PARS provides individual support as well as group support with informal sessions scheduled throughout the year to address various issues. At these sessions, professionals volunteer to discuss topics and answer questions. A list of scheduled meetings or referrals on individual issues can be obtained by calling Debra Bevier at 266-8666.