There are many aspects of life to consider through the eyes of a family. We are the keepers of our homes and most of us would agree that we should guard that home against the ravages of the world. But what if those keepers of the home cannot guard those under their care? It happens more often than we think.
There are a rising number of grandparents who, for whatever reason, are now raising their own grandchildren. According to the Census Bureau, there has been a 3 percent increase over the last ten years where grandparents have taken on the responsibility of maintaining the household of their grandchildren. Some parents are present, but others are not and this trend has increased remarkably.
According to a demographer, Renee Ellis for the Census Bureau’s Fertility and Family Statistics Branch, the role of grandparents are changing as “recent trends in increased life expectancy, single-parent families and female employment increase the potential for grandparents to play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren.”
Grandparents are raising grandchildren and from my grandparent point of view this has to be challenging. I can’t even imagine raising my own grandchildren after raising nine children of my own. From my childhood point of view, I can’t imagine being raised by my grandparents. They were all European immigrants with a whole different mindset. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but just different. I would have been loved just the same.
These grandparents raising grandchildren have a two generation difference in time, and though many are dealing with health issues, adding on the stress of raising another generation of children might make their life more challenging.
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Grandparents who raise grandchildren need to be praised. They are doing double duty and it is stressful. There are many support groups around the country which help this older generation raise the younger generation but the financial difficulties and the day to day issues are challenging.
Regardless of age difference and challenges, these children are well loved. If the parents are not there to emotionally nurture their children then grandparents are the next best thing. Children are our future and deserved to be nurtured.
There is hope and help for those raising grandchildren. Besides attending support groups in your neighborhood, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have created a Mormon Channel two part series which explores how grandparents can raise their grandchildren in a gospel centered home.
http://www.mormonchannel.org/gospel-solutions-for-families/38-role-of-grandparents-part-1
Valerie Steimle has been writing as a family advocate for over 25 years. As a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she promotes Christian living in her writings and is the mother of nine children and grandmother to twelve. Mrs. Steimle authored six books and is a contributing writer to several online websites. To her, time is the most precious commodity we have and knows we should spend it wisely.
To read more of Valerie's work, visit her at her website, The Blessings of Family Life.
