BellaOnline Forums News and Politics Senior Issues Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

I'd like to hear from any grandparents who are raising grandchildren and learn about some of your concerns, special circumstances, joys and frustrations.

Susan, we have been foster parents to our grandchild for over a year now. We are not seniors, but I would think I still qualify! Our son and his girlfriend had our grandaughter removed last May and it has been something I would not wish on anyone. The campbells soup version is our son and his girlfriend were using drugs, drinking, there was domestic violence on both sides and there is a lot of straightening up to be done. Our son passed away in an automobile accident in August and so my grandaughter only has one parent to rely on now. I am not convinced that she has changed at all but had a year vacation from having a baby. We go back to court in July and hopefully they will terminate her rights and we will be able to adopt my grandaughter. At this point I am convinced that is what needs to happen although at first we were not so sure. Our baby just graduated high school and is off to college this summer. I just worry that by the time she is in high school I won't be "hip" enough to know what is going on! It is hard enough these days at my age to know what my son is doing. I do think we appreciate those little milestones way more at our age. We worry about things we never worried about as young parents. I guess because we know better now and the world is not that great place that it seemed to be back then.

Connie

I got custody of my grandson when he was just a baby, Hes 24yrs old now and still in college
And he still lives with me.
I would do it all over again

I really appreciate hearing the "joy" that comes through from Connie and Rosie about raising their grandchildren. I know there are a lot of grandparents who are struggling emotionally and haven't quite embraced their new roles. My heart especially goes out to grandparents dealing with children who have a variety of emotional or behavioral problems. I consider people like this to be unsung heroes. We so often lose sight of how important it is to "invest" in the next generation in the hopes that some of the damaging things we're seeing in families today will become less common. Our grandchildren hold such amazing potential!

It is a struggle but I do feel that you just have to focus on what you are doing for your grandchild. And a good support system helps so much. My family is very close and are always there for me when I need someone.