Grand Parents Raising Grandchild

@pem, I'd like to introduce you to @harriethodgson1 who also raised her lovely grandchildren.

Pem, is this a recent change for you or have you been parenting your granddaughter for a while?

Good Morning @pem,
I would be happy to talk with you about raising grandchildren. My twin grandchildren moved in with us when they were 15 years old. We cared for them until they graduated from college. You may contact me via this website or my personal website. Thinking of you.

Thank you. I have reached out to Harriet who has kindly offered to talk with me. I was very happy to receive your response. Isa has been living with us since she was 5 years old. She will be 11 this August. Her mother has MS and was diagnosed as having a borderline personality. Her father struggles. I'm 67 and my husband is 80 and is in a spiraling, cognitive decline. My days are challenging and growing more so as Isa matures. It's such a fast society. Middle school terrifies me! It's a real help to connect with others that have managed some of the challenges with this second round of late life child rearing.

Patti

@pem and @harriethodgson1, I'm so glad that you've connected. I hope that you will continue to post here in this discussion and share your tips, trials, tribulations and joys to help other grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

Harriet, how old are your grandchildren now?
Pem, you certainly have a lot on your plate with opposite ends of life stages - a husband with declining cognitive abilities and and granddaughter on the precipice of puberty, middle school and more. I found those years challenging, especially ages 13-15.

I wonder if the generation divide and perspective is helpful in dealing with the adolescent years? Or since you're the primary parent that you become the authority figure that bears the brunt of their confusing lifestage?

I think my twin grandkids are 29 or 30. My grandson graduated from the Mayo Medical School and is doing a residency there now. My granddaughter married a minister, is a photographer, and has two little boys. How time flies!

Harriett, your books arrived yesterday. Thank you so much for sharing these with me. Isabella and I are working with a therapist to help manage anger issues. Fingers crossed.

I'd like to add @bonnieb81 to this discussion group who also raised to teen grandchildren after the loss of her daughter. She recently also lost her husband.

Bonnie, I'd like you to meet @pem and @harriethodgson1.

Raising teenage grandkids is a challenge. My twin grandkids were 15 years old when they moved in with us. At this age, kids are just discovering who they are and who are their real friends. Unfortunately, my granddaughter discovered some of her friends weren't really friends and other acquaintances became friends. We also had the twins eat dinner with us every evening because kids who eat with their families pick up on family values, news, and do better in school.