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IF YOU ARE A GRANDPARENT IN THE
ROLE OF PARENT YOU MAY NEED NEW COPING SKILLS
Grandparents
who find themselves in the role of parents face new problems
at a time in their lives when their own life plans are put on
hold. The parent role creates lifestyle changes: work life,
financial strain, routine shifts, and social life. Although
grandparents love their grandchildren and want to do what is
best for them, this can be a real rollercoaster: grief, anger,
fear, resentment.
Grandparents
find themselves in this role because of their own children’s
circumstances, which include: mental illness, substance abuse,
economic hardships, teen pregnancy, divorce, death, domestic
violence and other challenges.
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Nationwide,
some statistics indicate 6.3 percent of children are living
in grandparent-headed households. This is a jump of 30% from
1990 to 2000
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Many
grandparents serve as part-or full-time day care providers,
as well, not included in these numbers)
TIPS TO
HELP GRANDPARENTS COPE:
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Prioritize
and simplify routines – do one thing at a time
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Make time
for yourself
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Set clear
limits with grandchildren
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Ask for
help: Children may be eligible for government assistance
(Financial, health, insurance, food stamps)
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Get support
– join a support group with others in your situation, get
counseling, find all of the resources available to you.
A State Fact
Sheet for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children |
