Supporting Grandparents Who Raise Their Grandchildren

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There are many reasons why a Grandparent may suddenly find themselves raising their grandchildren, but whatever the individual situation the experience is never trouble-free. Many grandparents, in their twilight years, have wound down from the parenting mindset and suddenly needing to re-enter it can be a shock to the system.

Many issues are created, such as having to understand a youth culture the grandparent is largely separated from, or struggling to remain as active as a young child may need. Yet the path of raising a grandchild can be a blessing and something to treasure, so the gap between the two emotions of joy and worry needs to be bridged. The greatest thing about doing this is that no grandparent raising their grandchild needs to ever be alone.

There are organizations in existence that are specifically designed to give help, aid, guidance and whatever else is needed to a grandparent suddenly charged with raising their grandchild. An important first step is to request a fact sheet, which provides all the information on policy, benefits and support services that will aid the situation.

These factsheets have been put together by the leading organizations that support grandparents raising grandchildren, including the Child Welfare League of America and Generations United. They are designed to be a one-stop-shop for all the essential information any grandparent raising their grandchildren should need. These fact sheets come in both state-specific form and national form, the advice being to get both. They are the first step any grandparents should make toward equipping themselves for the task in hand, and can be found on the internet or via any of the charities and organizations that helped prepare it.

It is then important to contact the American Association of Retired Persons, who has specially appointed advisors to help with all legal issues regarding a grandparent becoming the primary care giver. For example, without acknowledged legal status a grandparent cannot enroll their grandchildren at a school or make medical decisions on behalf of their grandchild. The American Association of Retired Persons have a contact center designed exactly to help ease these issues and get all legal documentation in place, they can be reached by telephoning 1 - 800 - 434 - 3410, and have offices in Washington, DC.

When the practical issues are taken care of, the emotional side of care, giving to a grandchild comes in to play. This may be the most difficult aspect of caring for a grandchild that a grandparent faces, as unlike the legal documentation there is no swift answer. It is therefore important to seek support from people in a similar position and those who can guide you. Many turn to their church group, or find a local support group to attend. Social services should be able to help put any grandparent in touch with others in their situation, eliminating the feeling of struggling alone.

With an estimated three million children being brought up by their grandparents in the United States, this is an area that has been identified as needing support and it is generally being provided. If a grandparent is struggling, they are never alone. With the help and guidance of the many national and state appointed organizations, the joys of raising a grandchild will soon outweigh the negatives.