Grandparents take on parenthood, again

CNN.com recently posted the article linked in the title of this post, which tells the story of Rosa Foster, a 54-year old single parent raising her four grandchildren under the age of 19. About 2.5 million grandparents in America are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Obviously Rosa feels stress: emotional, and financial.

Rosa says grandparents should "make sure you're up for the challenge" before you seek custody of your grandchildren. "Because if you're not, you're going to break some kids' hearts. If those kids are torn up a second time, they're really going to be destroyed."

Her advice to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren:
1) Set priorities about your career.
2) Find financial help from state agencies, religious groups, and family.
3) Have a support network. Don't be the sole caregiver. Reach out to others and get help.
4) Take care of yourself so that you don't get overwhelmed, sick, and overly stressed. Make time to exercise. Eat right.
5) Get help with babysitting so that you can get a few hours alone once a week.

In addition to the challenges, there are rewards. "Explaining that she has put her own life on hold for 17 years, she added, 'I wouldn't have it any other way.'"

If you and your daughter are not able to raise her child for whatever reason, research whether adoption would be a benefit to the child. If your daughter is not willing or not able to raise her child but you are considering taking on the job, you may find it helpful to read the chapter titled "Should we adopt the baby?" in our book "How To Suvive Your Teen's Pregnancy."