I Feel Alone at Times...

You are SO not alone, although it often feels this way. It is an epidemic in America today, as we raise children for the 2nd time. I am raising my granddaughter and through my job, I meet so many others like us. I would be happy to correspond with you both here and through email.

It is just as hard on the grandkids as it is on us. As they grow older, they deal with questions from their peers, anger at their parents and it presents new hurdles for us. It is different raising children in 2007 than it was 20 yrs ago.

You can also contact your local Commission on Aging. I know that ours has a Kinship group that is for grandparents raising grandchildren.
Good luck & you are doing a wonderful thing in raising your grandson.

P.,

Your situtation is more common then you think. I work with a former FBI agent who is 55 and retired now, but they are raising there grandson and have been since birth. I also have a friend that is 45 and he is a grandpa raising his teenage granddaughter because his own daughter is so screwed up. You are doing a really good thing. Good Luck to you

M. M.

Here is a website for your area's Council on Aging's kinship caregiver program. You might like to see what social activities they offer. http://www.region7aaa.org/grandparents2002.html

As all the other responses I have read, I must also say...dearest you are not alone! There are alot of us out here! I moved to Mich. from so. Calif. just over 5 years ago to take care of my daughter's two litle boys while she "got herself together". Still hasn't really happened yet (it's such a slow process I suppose)and she's now hooked up with a guy who has 3 little ones of his own. I take care of all 5 of them during the day, but have moved into an apartment of my now so I can have at least a little time to myself. I am confident that it is all worth it. The children will have at least one solid base to rely on no matter what else happens in their lives.
I don't know how this sites works but I can be reached at reneeotterbein then at the ya h oo web site. Take care, Renee'

P.,

Your not alone. My in-laws adopted their granddaughter and are raising her as their own. She will be 13 in March. They have made extensive sacrifices but the reward of knowing they're able to provide a better life for her than she would have had is enough. My only disagreement is that rather than being truthful with her throughout her life that they are her grandparents - she thinks they are her real parents. They are in their early 50's and I think their only regret is now they have to keep working beyond the point they planned to put her through college and have the life she deserves.

This type of situation is hard but if you handle it right you should feel very proud that your grandson has someone who loves him as much as you do and were willing to take care of him. Not everyone would make that sacrifice - your an excellent grandmother!!!

http://groups.msn.com/InFamilyAdoptions
You will not feel alone in this group P..
I/We are raising and adopting my great-nephew, but most member are raising/adopting their grandchildren.
Hope you join so that you see you are not alone in this venture.

Boy P., I can't believe you are a grandmother. I am 42 and have a 6 yr son myself, my oldest son is 21 almost 22 no grand kids yet..Its fun at this age, you teach them differently than you did your first. Maybe teach them in a whole new way. I have heard of grandmothers raising there grand kids and I give them alot of credit doing it. You have a second chance to teach your grandson new values that maybe your daughter didn't get. But you are still young and will have a great time. It's like raising your own all over again. Good luck and God be with you for taking care of your grandchild.

P., first off I would like to commend you for what you are doing. If there were more grand parents like yourself, I truely believe the world would be a lot more loving. I don't really have any suggestions for you, but I just want to give you some encouragement. But I do know you aren't alone. Perhaps, this could be something that you might want to start yourself. I hate to use the term support group, especially when it's for something positive, but maybe you could find others to connect with what ate in a similiar situation. Good luck and God bless.