2005 Year in Review

Help for Grandparents Who Are Parenting Again

Grandparents play many roles in the lives of their grandchildren including babysitter, playmate, mentor and friend. Today, more than ever before, grandparents are called upon to actually raise their grandchildren.

If you are raising your grandkids, you're not alone, says Milly Kaiser, University of Illinois Extension family life educator. Nationwide, nearly 4 million children under the age of 18 are cared for by a grandparent or other relative.

In Illinois, about 70,000 children are raised in homes where a grandparent is the sole caregiver. Grandparents range in age from 35 to 80-plus years. They are from all walks of life and from all cultural and economic groups.

Why are so many grandparents becoming parents again?

"Sometimes it's an alcohol or drug abuse problem. In other cases it might be teenage pregnancy, poverty, divorce or family violence," says Kaiser. "Drug and alcohol abuse account for more than 80 percent of grandparent families." Some grandparents gradually become parents as they see their adult children slowly losing control of their lives. Other grandparents suddenly find themselves raising a second family with very little warning.

If you're like most grandparents raising grandkids, you probably need help finding services and resources. Some help is available from state programs and community resources. Call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Helpline at 1-800-252-8966 for support groups and resources in Illinois. Also check out the Parenting Again newsletter series for practical tips and information.

by  Editor, theCity1.com
December 13, 2005