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 …read more

Research has shown us that there are many grandparents, who, for whatever reason, are raising young grandchildren. Though it can be rewarding, this scenario can also be very stressful, particularly financially.
There are many grandparents caring for the children of deployed soldiers, but, if the unthinkable happened, and, the parent is killed in action, did you know that the grandparents (or other caregivers) raising these children of United States soldiers are not eligible for the death benefits that would be provided a spouse?
The Washington Post did a series a while back about these “Forgotten Families“, and, it is apparent that the …read more