Grandparents raising their grandchildren

The relationship between a child and their grandparent is a very special one. When circumstances change and the parents – for whatever reason – are unable to care for a child, the grandparents are often the first choice as primary caregiver. This change in relationship can be tricky for the child and for the grandparent.

At a time when you are perhaps thinking about retirement and a quieter life, becoming a full-time parent again can be a shock. It can be a strain on your physical and emotional health, as you face the challenge of parenting a young child again.

The children may also have problems adjusting to this new life, without normal daily contact with their parents.

A couple share their experience of becoming ‘second-time’ parents, in this article on the Raising Children website. The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren website, and particularly their booklet, offers advice and support in these circumstances:

The UK Proud Grandparents website has advice for grandparents raising children, including how to talk to kids about why their parent is unable to care for them.