Grandparents Raising Grandchildren | Aging Matters | Nashville PBS

[@householdsix1307]

My husband and I got a distress call from our son in law and long story short ended up with him and our granddaughter who was 7 months old at the time. FF to today: Son in law has moved out(2020) , still comes to visit regularly. Our daughter has not seen our granddaughter since her 1sr birthday. My husband died unexpectedly 2024 and here I am filing for adoption. It is scary and a blessing all at the same time. I pray to God every day to give me wisdom and strength to navigate it all. My granddaughter is 7 yrs old now.

[@rchhtt5210]

Grandparents who rise their grandchildren are heroes. My mother was raised by her grandparents, they were poor but my mother was so grateful to live in a stable loving household.

[@makaylawaters2568]

My grandmother raised me, taught me everything I know. My mom gave me to her at 6 months and came back in the picture when I was around 2. I spent every weekend and summer with my grandma then when I was 11 I moved back in with her. The love she showed me is something I will never feel again I fear. She passed away the day after Thanksgiving. It’s been a little over a month and I am trying to cope. Went from speaking to her twice a day to watching her pass in a hospital bed on hospice. I am thankful for her giving up her retirement to raise me. I will always love her and cherish her. I’m crying writing this.

[@shannon360-study]

That woman was a warrior. Sorry for your loss.

[@donnahong5998]

I am sorry for your loss, If your Grandma was a Christian then she knew where she was going and so should you. The song Lyrics to...On Christ the solid rock I stand...Lyrics … My hope … My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' name … On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand … When darkness … When darkness veils His lovely face I'll rest on His unchanging grace In every high and stormy day My anchor holds within the veil … On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand … And His oath … His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood When all around my soul gives way He then is all my hope and stay … On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand … Let's just revisit and visualise it Just think about what that is gonna look like When we hear that trunpet sound … When He shall come … When He shall come with trumpet sound Oh, may I then in Him be found Dressed in His righteousness alone Faultless to stand before the throne … On Christ the solid rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand All other ground is sinking sand God Bless You!

[@regsis]

What a wholesome human being you are and a credit to your grandma. She may have gone physically but she’s watching over you and will remain in your heart forever . Grief is very difficult to deal with just take time with yourself during this process . May God bless you ❤

[@LoriG75]

I’m raising 4 grandchildren and it’s the greatest blessing. I’ve been parenting non stop for 44 years now. The youngest is 7 so that means many more years. We’ve gotten zero financial help, but somehow we manage. People will say they feel sorry for me because I don’t get to retire or travel, etc., but I say I have the best life ever. My grandchildren are my joy. I found a quote that is so true. It says, “I can’t quit. I have someone’s childhood in my hands.”

[@householdsix1307]

Thank you for your encouraging words! Raising my granddaughter too!

[@alleaufihreposition]

I grew up with my grandma together with my little sister since I was 5 years old. Our mother was an addict and my father too. I'm so greatfull and was blessed to have my granny until I was 36 y/o. What a woman. I could have never found something better than living with her. A true rolemodel. I would do the dsme if my grandchild needs a home. Its my blood and they dont deserve to live in a childrens home.

[@janetcarpenter8589]

I'm always worried that my granddaughter would be mad at me for taking custody of her

[@Myopinionmattersthemost]

I find it crazy that the system will help complete strangers provide for the children but not thr bio grand children.

[@donnahong5998]

The Feds supply the state with $$ money per year for foster care. If the state does not meet the need funding is cut. I saw a case in Michigan where a single poor father had his kids taken away and placed in foster care for no other reason than he was poor. If the government was pro family the program would be set up to assist the struggling father not remove the kids. He did find legal conceal and got his kids back. But to answer your question, the system is designed to tear families apart.

[@sharpiemarkeramanda]

Idk why this area is being stupid about it, but it’s always been an option in my state for a kinship provider to get licensed. You can immediately get custody under kinship, and then take the classes and do the licensing process whenever you want. I know of many households in my county who have done just this.

[@oletabostic6537]

My grandson is 5, he's been with me 3 years now due to mom's addiction. She was arrested and charged with child endangerment. I gained Guardianship and custody. CPS was involved at first. They came for 2 visits and on the 3rd, they told me to take Guardianship or he would go to foster care. No explanation. So I did. And found us cut off from any services. I was married at the time and he had a good income. I am a minimum wage worker and Disabled. He has Medicaid and SNAP, but both parents are addicted so no hope of child support. We need help. Not just money, classes and services are needed also.

[@LynnTanner-y6r]

Same,I was already raising my granddaughter since she was 9 days old,she's about to be six and two months ago got my one and half yr old grandson too.CPS called Friday about a week after their third visit saying to go file for emergency guardianship.My daughter is an addict too and it's been extremely hard on us dealing with everything.

[@oletabostic6537]

@LynnTanner-y6r I'm sorry. I've been thinking about joining an GRG group, but I live in a small, remote town and haven't found anyone else who had heard of it. Good to see some coverage of our plight.

[@davidschmidt270]

God.... please please please take care of these families.... please open doors..in love & tender mercies take care of them... it's cold outside... there's storm's outside...the world is cold and unforgiving... LORD JESUS...be there pledge! .. LORD please tuck them safely under your wings...keep them dry from the rains and winds ...please let them be A ok in Jesus name I sincerely pray & ask these things in your name, AMEN.... Jesus said many things are impossible with man ... BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!❤️‍🩹 🌄

[@belizeanalienify]

I fostered my nephews for a year and they offered me 500.00 per month for each kids plus food stamps. Maybe it’s different under the foster program

[@shannon360-study]

@@davidschmidt270 Amen.

[@cuprunnethover2509]

Lord, have Mercy on the grandparents!!!

[@OurPerez]

God Bless these Grandparents!🙏🏾

[@talesfromtheleashexpatdogl1426]

My grandparents were part of the greatest generation and my parents are baby boomers. My grandparents were very involved in my life and I'm so thankful for them. I'm a gen X'er and my baby boomer parents wanted no part of their grandchildren lives which IMO is sorry AF. My daughter is expecting her 1st baby and my 1st grandchild in 3 weeks. I moved back to the US from abroad where I was "living my best life" just so I can be a daily fixture in my grandchild's life and keep her out of daycare. I will never understand why some people think raising or helping to raise their grandchild is a burden. It's the most special blessing a parent gets. I'm here for it!!!!

[@MEGrisolano]

This is such an important topic. Thanks to the team for sharing valuable information on available resources!

[@MoonChild-oq5hf]

My sons are amazing fathers. I don’t get to see my grandchildren but once a year. We live 1200 miles, apart. I know how these grandparents, feel. I’d do the same. You’re amazing . 🖤

[@okaycola2]

Such a touching tribute to grandparents. There is nothing like them

[@cicleybray7933]

Im raising my two grandson 8 and 11 I've had them for 4 years!!

[@codzy3532]

your a hero sweetie God will richly bless u amen

[@emilywiebel3238]

I’ll never understand why CPS will pay strangers to take in these children but won’t help kinship placements. More children could stay with bio family members is there was financial help. Not everyone can take in a child or multiple children at the drop of a hat bc they can’t financially do so even if they want to take them in. The system needs to change in many ways bc it does more harm than good most of the time.

[@celieboo]

@emilywiebel3238 As a former foster parent, I completely agree.

[@brennonflowers]

Technically CPS and foster care are two different programs. Once the kids go into foster care, CPS is no longer involved.

[@Tormekia]

There's the belief that if there is something unfit about the parents, the rest of the family is unfit too. Like the whole family is tainted.

[@rm5146]

If you think the system needs to change then vote for people who will provide legislation to provide funding to support these programs.

[@Hottool365]

They definitely need financial support and other services. Like a foster parent would have. I’m so happy that these kids have love and security from their grandparents.

[@Lerian_V]

I got emotional watching this. I spent my formative years with my grandmother. God bless her soul, an amazing woman.

[@Allinmyworld]

Wow, I didn't realize this at all. This is tough situation. We need more programs like this where grandparents can get support not only that but financial support too.

[@ashleytanner6911]

I was raised by both my grandparents. Neither of my parents could take care of me or my sister. I am very grateful to God for giving me the grandparents I have today. I don't call them grandparents; I call them Mom and Dad because they have been there since day one.

[@ayeasten]

tavia NEVER spoke ill of her child. never even really said what she did wrong. wow. the strength of a mother. i take my hat off to these grandparents. this was beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. they deserve all the help in the world ❤😢

[@celieboo]

She loves her unconditionally despite making the wrong choices.

[@greenearthblueskies8556]

I hope she's not so understanding that she's an enabler

[@countrygirl366]

Tavia is very beautiful lady ❤ all these grandparents are amazing I'll say that. They never said one bad thing about their child and the issues they had. Those grandkids are blessed with their super amazing grandparents. ❤

[@Teresita-T1o]

@@countrygirl366 no need to talk about our kids what is done is done 🤷🏾‍♀️ just gotta move forward doing the best possible

[@NikeCortez14]

Great Job Amber, you are truly on a path of recovery. Dont forget to give contribute whatever you can financially to your parents they need the help. Maybe start off small paying for school events and costs.

[@Teresita-T1o]

Im raising my grandson who is now 13. I see doing so as a privilege and opportunity to do what I failed to do with my daughter his mom which is put him first. I have had 13 joyous challenging years and I would not trade it for anything. I have seen my errors in how I raised my own and by faith corrected them. I have also learned nothing ever just happens when it comes to human life. I am stronger better and wiser because of my grandbaby 💯

[@lindakelley2676]

I adore my grandson but find at 68 I'm physically challenged with an energetic 5 year old. I had my grandson part time and applaud grandparents who do it full time.

[@taramason518]

Evelyn Mason, was an advocate for Grandparents and Relative Caregivers, from Los Angeles. She worked with Community Coalition which still have advocates that support grandparents here in Los Angeles.

[@OkieMaintenanceGuy]

Raising our 2 Grandaughters now for almost 2 years. Paid over 8 grand to lawyers to protect them.

[@natatattful]

Bless you ❤

[@indigolambart]

I helped raise my youngest sister, she is 14 years younger than me. I was balancing being in college, working nights, and a kindergartener. Her Dad would take her or our Mother would and when they got tired of being a parent she would be back with me. It was really hard especially since there was nothing I could do just keep her and save her from all that mess other than take her in and figure out clothing, food, and everything over and over again. I came into my step daughter's life when she was 10. Now she is off to college. Now I am raising my nephew from another sister and back to kindergarten! He was placed with me 2 times via cps, this time is has been 2 years so far and still endless court dates. At least I don't have to worry about my sister or the father being able to just take him and leave him whenever they want. It was hard enough having him go back and then a year later he was back again and such a scared sick 4 year old who was the same size as when he was 2. You get a call and suddenly you need everything from a toothbrush to a crib. It is expensive. There's no baby shower or time to prepare. You have a kid who is traumatized, with no belongings in the span of an hour.

[@lizziebethwilliams8485]

Wow! This made me cry! My grandparents played a big part in raising me and my siblings throughout our childhood. This had me crying😢😢

[@crismarieb6275]

My grandparents were always a big part of my life they lived next door to us my parents where still teenagers when they had me I’m so grateful for them❤

[@sheryl9568]

In Virginia we have Kinship foster care . They will provide resources to relatives raising children . Here in VA you can receive Medicaid and TANF if you are the guardian for the child.

[@reneedennis2011]

Thank you for this his documentary.

[@Poor_BBJ]

My grandparents had legal & physical custody of my sister & but also held my parents accountable. Child support orders were in place, medical support etc. It didn't matter if they could pay or not. My grandparents had to better their life through diet & exercise so they could be healthy & strong enough to care for us.

[@Niakammueller]

It Is so sad that grandparents are raising their grandchildren its shouldn't be this way

[@leahtv7778]

You're absolutely right. It's really a shame their bio parents can't/won't take care of their own kids for whatever reasons. Unacceptable

[@ciro8861]

this was really well done. to be honest first world countries are facing low birth rates because of treating the reality of raising children as a by the way thing. there needs to be financial support provided to make child rearing a joy instead of the thing that can keep you in poverty. look at the lady who's unemployed and had two hip surgeries. the man who has a fatal disease, provide them with finances and they would be more than happy to stay at home and raise these kids. they want to do this. people want to have kids but for crying out loud support them!

[@TomikaKelly]

Tavia, the Black grandma, was so pretty! Her eyebrows were everything! ❤

[@coastal5228]

GREAT-Grand parents, too! ALOT of the time its just so unfair to the Grandparents! The parents are just not handling their responsibilities, yet still get to see their kids whenever they want! They are not made to do what they should do! They have it made! Makes me sooo mad!

[@mikepete3013]

Bless these grandparents

[@celieboo]

Tavia is stunningly beautiful.

[@bettyvillegas8785]

Count it all blessing and joy i know its tough hang in their praying for you. 🙏 id rather be going through what your going through then what im going through I will never have any grandchildren im 60 now without any grandchildren now thats lonely .😢 you dont even know the envy i feel for what you have and seeing other grandparents is a punch in my heart .

[@bostonblackie9503]

The late actor George Kennedy and wife ended up caring for their grandaughter because both parents were drug addicts. Eventually they adopted her. She looked like she enjoyed being with them and they kept her looking lovely.

[@leticiasmith226]

I'm raising 3 of my 6 grandbabies.I don't get any help.I get $608 a month to take care of them with isn't enough,rent and the electricity takes part of it,, money for clothes,shoes, things for school, birthdays and the holidays.I don't own my own washer and dryer so I need money to wash their clothes for school.I try to involve the mother(my daughter the kids mother). I'm trying to go back to work but I have to work around the time they are in school.So I'm one of many grandparents raising their grandbabies

[@leticiasmith226]

I won't change anything about raising my grandbabies I would do it 50 times again

[@PollyPatriot]

We adopted our grand-daughter. Birth parents addicts

[@elbt101]

My mom an di raise our Nephew. Thanks addiction. My sister passed and his dad is taking a long time to take him. 12 years

[@Love-ju3bv]

I had cousins that I raised for six years without help

[@leptir7110]

😢

[@margaretpatton376]

Not to o mention the great grandparents

[@Robin-mj6jv]

I am 55 and still work full time. We have an out of control daughter; she has a 1 year old and a 2 month old. I will not raise my grandchildren. I will not start over. I didn't make that choice. I will help but not take over.

[@codzy3532]

im dark 61 a woman and my dear old mum used to say when mothers dont want their kids or because of neglect abuse drugs...swing them back into family i asked why she said we have a dna biological blood connection amen to that i raised my grandson when he came out of hospital i was a bit younger then had more energy dont think i could do it again though my 23 yr old grandson lives with me and my bf he told us were like mum dad/grandad grandma to him i believe children are more safer if the grandparents are stable have a christian ethic i believe the child has a better life its no shame in raising ur grandchild to me i call it nurtering loving giving a child a better chance in life God bless all the loving hardworking grandparents an single mums an dads keeping it together the Lord will richly bless u all amen 😊☺❤🙏🧔‍♀👵👴💐

[@elbt101]

No money to raise my Nephew for 12 years. Lost a lot of earning power

[@Goodkidjr43]

Child protective services are evil. They give single mothers who deliberately have children out of wedlock financial support but would not give these grandparents financial support. If they had applied for foster care they would have gotten support. But since they were family, no support was given. Unreal.

[@agluv7360]

Not even then you can have a good career be a single mom and still won’t impose child support orders

[@deidradahl2802]

Why not put a tracker on the packages and catch the scammer?

[@myoldvhstapes]

I wonder how the grandparents break the cycle. If they raise another generation of children the same way, do they expect a different result?

[@NikeCortez14]

Great Question! Its seems like most addicts have intricate family trauma starting with their own parents, so your right that's the scary part.

[@eslom1489]

It's not always the grandparents fault. Sometimes, it's society, circumstances, peers, and the kids making bad choices. Don't blame parents for everything.

[@NikeCortez14]

@@eslom1489 we know the grandparents are NOT drug addicts themselves but most of their children's addictive behavior started early and within their home, hell just watch one episode of intervention. But the grandparents should set strong boundaries with their children that they may not have had before otherwise the grandkids are at the same exact risk.

[@MSanz-jc2bg]

I was thinking that too,maybe grandparents are not fit to raise them.

[@TomikaKelly]

"If they raise another generation of children the same way..." ***How did they raise the previous generation of children that yielded as (assumptively) wrong result? 🤔 All of these grandchildren came from ADULTS who consented to their own poor decisions. That has nothing to do with the grandparents. 🤡

[@jeremyslawson-qb1eg]

CPS isn't there to help family's they are there to rip family's apart, I know that for a fact because CPS ripped me away from my mom & put me in the system which to this day I don't like CPS whatsoever.

[@pammulholland8687]

The children are eating pizza and pop. Grandparents need financial support so they can afford to feed the children healthy food.

[@sallyclay1974]

Alot of it, is from substance abuse, and alcoholism.In some of the poor families,especially with girls, around 15, they r running the streets, quitting high school and having kids out of wedlock. ,

[@annmarie1689]

The music was beyond annoying.

[@bettyvillegas8785]

Please dont complain let me ask you all a question would u rather be me without grandchildren kids arown and never get to see living alone and without grandchildren???? Its not a life to live your supise to have lots of grandchildren ..sorry this makes me kinda of angry.