Reasons Grandparents Parent

1
Reasons Grandparents Parent

• Drug Addiction
• Parental neglect or abandonment
• Parental, physical and/or sexual abuse
• Teen pregnancy
• Domestic violence
• HIV/AIDS

• Incarceration of parents
• Homicide
• Suicide

2
Adjustments Within the Family

• Moving to a larger living space
• Purchasing furniture and other supplies
• Adjusting work schedules
• Locating childcare
• School Enrollment

• Transportation
• Financial resources
• Lack of self-care
• Social isolation

3
Shouldering the Burden

• Feelings of obligation
• Feelings of ambivalence
• Guilt
• Grieving
• Lack of respite

• Deprived of a grandparents role
• Deprived of a positive relationship with children
• Anger and resentment

4
Putting Their Lives On Hold

• Disruption of life plans
• Lost opportunities to travel
• Lost opportunities to further their education
• Abandonment of their sense of self

• Loss of leisure time
• Deprived of opportunity for second career
• Deprived of regular involvement in senior/age
  appropriate activities

5
Emotional Impact

• Awareness of adult childrens substance abuse
• Revised family systems
• Stigma
• Lack of positive self image

• Feeling betrayed
• Self-blame
• Guilt
• Grieving
• Depression
• Anxiety

6
Appropriate Resources

• Grandparent As parent Support Groups
• Kinship Support Service Programs
• AARP/Grandparent Information Center
• California Coalition of Grandparent/Relative
  Caregivers

• Generations United Resource Center
• Edgewood Grandparents Center
• Churches
• Schools
• Community based organizations