Grandparents and relatives raising children

In the United States, over 2.7 million grandparents are responsible for the day-to-day care of approximately 7 million grandchildren according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. Grandparents and other family members raising children can face issues not encountered by younger parents.

Parenting as a grandparent

For some grandparents, caring for their grandchildren means putting aside dreams of relaxation and freedom from work. Others may feel isolated from friends who no longer have children at home. They may feel guilt or resentment toward their children. Grandparents raising grandchildren frequently face significant financial burdens.

Challenges for children

The children also may have to deal with problems. Some may have emotional problems as a result of their separation from their parents. Some children’s parents drift in and out of their lives, causing confusion and disruption. Some children may be teased by their peers because they are being cared for by older adults.

Some fall behind academically because they’ve missed school. These children may have a hard time concentrating because they constantly worry about their parents. They also worry that they will be abandoned again, this time by their grandparents or other caregivers.

Tips and tools for coping

We can’t eliminate the reality that many grandparents raise their grandchildren, but we can find possible solutions to many of the problems they may encounter. These sites provide information for grandparents and relatives who are raising young children.

• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) — The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs. Caregivers who are relatives are eligible to receive MFIP child-only payments on behalf of the child.
• Financial capability — Make wise decisions about money and other resources.
• Coping with abandonment — Children do best when they have a relationship with both parents, but sometimes this is not possible. Here are some tips for talking to your child/grandchild about abandonment.
• Strengthening your support network — Having a strong system of support can help parents and caregivers recover from a family transition and embrace the new reality. Assess your support system network and get tips for developing new support systems.
• Relative caregiver warmline — Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota. Phone and email service that offers help with raising relatives’ children.

Raising grandchildren is an extraordinary task. You are not alone, and help is available.