I’ve always discussed on this blog how a person from a younger generation or perhaps your partner can be your caregiver but seldom do I write about a grandparent as the caregiver however, these past few years there has been a significant rise on reported cases in which at least one grandchild was left to be cared for by the grandparents. Sad but true; it seems that grandparents are the number one choice for parents who are no longer capable of caring for their kids.
It came as no surprise though since grandparents are considered as an immediate family—in fact, in some cases, as next of kin. The government, of course, encourages this as it is beneficial to the kids as well as to the society as a whole since grandparents are basically taking the kids off foster care. Emotionally, kids are better off with their grandparents than with someone they don’t know, and local authorities believe that too.
While caregiving your grandkids seems to be the most ideal solution to the problem, expect that there will be financial issues especially if the kids were abandoned by their parents and the parents have already hand over the custody to you. Plus there is psychological effect on both the grandparents and the grandkids. On a grandparents’ part, there is the childrearing responsibilities again that although it is almost always welcome can cause physical and emotional strains on the senior in question. We all know that childrearing is a lot of work and sometimes an aging body is no longer up to the challenge anymore, mentally and physically.
However, the rewards in raising your grandkids are tremendous and overwhelming. Grandkids often regard grandparents with so much respect and a different level of looking-up to. Sometimes, grandkids believe grandparents can do things better than their own parents and in return will make things a little easier for grandparents to fulfill their caregiving duties to the child. Kids tend to be a little more appreciative of their grandparents too and would be more thankful to their grandparents for taking care of them. Studies also found out that kids raised by their grandparents tend to be more well-rounded and affectionate than those raised in foster care and even those living with their biological parents but both have been busy working to actually spend time with their kids.
As primary caregivers, we seniors should be able to care for our grandkids lovingly but take care of ourselves at the same time. It is important that we stay in tiptop shape if we would like to successfully be there for the kids. Caregiving may be tough but if it is your grandkids in question, I bet there’s no mountain high enough not to be climbed by a determined grandparent.