Seven Counties Services, Inc. :: Louisville, Kentucky

While many grandparents plan to spend time traveling after their retirement, other grandparents may be faced with another task: raising their grandchildren. Initially, this can seem overwhelming; older adults may be apprehensive because they're uncertain if they can raise children again. But with a little optimism and a lot of determination, they can provide grandchildren with a loving home.

If you are a grandparent raising your grandchildren:

Accept your age and the limitations that come with it. You may not be as energetic and limber as you once were, but that doesn't reduce your parenting effectiveness. If you tire while playing with your grandchild, take a break, and resume the game once you're more rested.

Realize you're not alone. In Kentucky, more than 35,000 grandparents are the primary care provider to grandchildren. Talking to other grandparents raising their grandchildren can relieve stress and help you feel less isolated. Primarily serving West Louisville, The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program provides support groups and referrals for legal, mental health, financial, and medical issues for relative caregivers and the children in their care. For more information, contact Elizabeth Brill at (502) 778-7418 or by email at ebrill@elderservinc.org. Also, The Grandparent Club provides support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren at the John F. Kennedy Montessori School in Louisville and club members serving as volunteers. For more information, call Bobbie Powell, President, at (502) 485-8280.

Laugh. Being a grandparent with physical and financial limitations and raising a child can be overwhelming, but remember that your grandchildren are still children; focus your attention on the joy and benefits of raising them in a stable, loving environment. Find ways to reclaim the joy and laughter in your household by playing games, going to the park, and spending time and having fun with them.

Seek financial help. Check your eligibility for state and federal benefits to help ease the burden of raising your grandchildren. Programs such as the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP), Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), Medicaid, and food stamps may be available to you and your grandchildren, even if you don't have legal guardianship or custody.

Communicate with your grandchildren. Living in a new environment with different rules can be unsettling for some children. Take the time to talk to your grandchildren about changes involving their parents and how they fit into the equation. More importantly, listen to their fears and thoughts on being in your care. More conversation can result in fewer anxieties.

Take care of yourself. You are not at your best if you're stressed and overexerting yourself. Make time for yourself everyday by watching your favorite television show, reading a book, or doing an activity you enjoy.

Be optimistic. Your grandchildren may not have a typical two-parent household, but they will be brought up with an immense amount of love. When you are facing numerous obstacles, look at your situation from another perspective-you have the opportunity to know your grandchildren on a deeper level than you expected and can provide a stable home without worrying if their basic needs are being met.