Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Abstract

Children and youths are being raised by grandparents in greater numbers than would be expected by choice or by chance. These new households represent a transfer of child‐rearing responsibilities from an absent or incapacitated parent to an older adult who could also be at risk for disability. This article discusses the implications of this trend for the helping professions, particularly as they apply to interventions required to assure the mental and physical stability of both grandparent and child.

Value of Family and Group Counseling Models Where Grandparents Function as Parents to their Grandchildren

“…In some situations, arrangements might be in place to allow parents a degree of contact with their children, whereas in others no contact is possible or permitted by law (PinsonMillburn et al 1996). Whatever the circumstance, it is often very difficult for parents to cope with their own feelings of inadequacy, coupled with coping with the knowledge that their children might be struggling because of their (the parents') problems (Pinson-Millburn et al 1996). Some parents do not acknowledge their problems, do not care about the consequences, or are not remorseful for their mistakes (Dolbin-MacNab and Targ 2003).…”

“…Parents who are unable to raise their children independently often feel isolated, disappointed, guilty, overwhelmed, anxious and/or depressed (Pinson-Millburn et al 1996). In some situations, arrangements might be in place to allow parents a degree of contact with their children, whereas in others no contact is possible or permitted by law (PinsonMillburn et al 1996).…”

Filial/Family Play Therapy: An Intervention for Custodial Grandparents and Their Grandchildren

“…In addition to the stress related to these changing roles, custodial grandparents are faced with a multitude of problems, including resentment over loss of freedom, their own declining health, the incapacity of their own children, limited resources to respond to their new role of parent, the loss of their peer support group, and the possibility that their grandchildren could also suffer from emotional/behavioral problems (Pinson-Millburn et al, 1996).…”

“…The number of households headed by grandparents increased by 40% between 1983(Strom & Strom, 1993. Historically, the assumption of a parenting role by the grandparent has resulted from parental death, abandonment, or divorce, with the parent no longer in the picture (Pinson-Millburn, Fabian, Schlossberg, & Pyle, 1996). However, the significant increase in custodial grandparents over the last decade is attributed to an additional factor: the increasing number of dysfunctional parents who are unable or unwilling to care for their children.…”

Custodial Grandparent Families: Steps for Developing Responsive Health Care Systems

“…Figure 1 illustrates some of the problems experienced by the birth parents, the behaviors/diseases which may be seen in children, and the consequential outcomes for these children if they are left untreated. Pinson-Millburn et al, 1996;Smith et al, 1998 Steps for Developing Responsive Family Practices…”