A Making Lemonade Tidbit--Grandparents become Parents to their Grandchildren

When Grandparents Become Parents to Their Grandchildren
--Deb Gebeke, Family Science Specialist

THE FACTS
The American Association of Retired Persons reports a 17 percent jump in the number of children cared for in grandparent-only households in one year -- 1992 to 1993. This is contrasted with a gradual 6 percent rise over the prior 22 years. The Census Bureau figures that 3.4 million children are raised by grandparents or other relatives. And, 44 percent of the nation's grandparents spend 100 or more hours a year taking care of grandkids.

Clearly, grandparents are very influential in their grandchildren's lives whether they provide occasional care, live close by or far away. But what happens when grandparents assume the role of parent for their grandchildren?