When Grandparents Parent
April 21, 2009 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Parenting
Grandparents often become involved in parenting roles with their grandchildren. These take many forms, and there are rewards and challenges to each of them. However, in my case (living in a multigenerational home), I’ve discovered the rewards far outnumber any inconveniences.
Grandparenting/parenting situations:
- Grandchildren living with grandparents and parents in a multigenerational household, as has been the case in our home, for 13 years.
- Grandparents caring for grandchildren temporarily when there has been a parent illness or parent(s) away on military or job assignment
- Grandparents babysitting while parents work.
- Grandparents having adopted or acquired guardianship of grandchildren because the parents have died or cannot care for the children.
- Some combination of these situations.
Sometimes the care of grandchildren can curtail one’s life and be regarded as an inconvenience. However, my husband and I have found the rewards far outweigh everything else. Our life has been far from boring with grandchildren and their activities revolving around us and often involving us.
Our household soon will decrease in number when our granddaughter goes to college in the fall. Already this 18-year old has become very independent and able to make decisions. (This is good because we know she’s ready for life away from home, as our daughter was at that age.)
We’ll still have a teenaged grandson in the house, but our home will take on a different definition. We’ll learn the enjoyments of this, too.
What have been your experiences with your grandchildren? I’ll write more about ours in a future post.
Image: Newscom
I have three grandchildren, a grandson 3, and his two twin sisters who are 1/12 years old.
I took care of my grandson from the time he was six months until he was 2 1/2 while his mom returned to work. It was an absolutely wonderful experience. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to bond with him and to watch him grow.
I watched him crawl for the first time and take his first steps and I helped to potty train him. I will remember these important firsts the same as I remember my own childrens.
He calls me Grammy and I love it!
Thanks, Janet, for sharing your joys in caring for your grandson for two years when his mom returned to work. We’ve had our grandchildren, daughter and her husband living with us for 13 years, so have experienced many aspects of the youngsters’ growing up years. It’s been a wonderful experience…and this year our granddaughter goes off to college.