Grandparents%20raising%20grandchildren

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Grandparents raising grandchildren

• Adults 65 and over raising their childrens
  children

HN365-01-Unit 4 Assignment Jacqueline
Taylor Kaplan University Psychology of
Aging HN365-01 Melissa Valentine October 14, 2013
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• When parents are absent or unable to raise their
  children, grandparents are often the ones who
  step in. Raising a second generation brings many
  rewards, including the fulfillment of giving your
  grandchildren a sense of security, developing a
  deeper relationship, and keeping the family
  together. It also comes with many challenges. No
  matter how much you love your grandchildren,
  taking them into your home requires major
  adjustments. With the right guidelines and
  support, you can roll back the years and make a
  real difference in the lives of your
  grandchildren ("Grandparents as Parents," n.d.,
  para. 1).

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Introduction

• This slide presentation will describe the
  psychological and physical problems and
  challenges that relate to the increasing
  challenge of grandparents raising grandchildren.
  It will also discuss perceptions and
  misconceptions that may exist regarding the older
  population and their ability/inability to perform
  such a responsible and sometimes necessary
  function. This has personal meaning for the
  author as she took care of some and also
  foster-parented one of her own grandchildren.

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• Stress and worry.
• Anger or resentment
• Guilt
• Grief

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Take Care of Yourself
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• A healthy you means healthy grandchildren.
• Hobbies and relaxation are not luxuries.
• Its okay to lean on your grandchildren for help.

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• Find someone you can talk to about what youre
  going through.
• Look for support groups for grandparents raising
  grandchildren.
• Reach out in your community for childcare
• help.
• Connect with parents with children.

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Your grandchildren will have mixed feelings too
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• Your grandchildren may resent being separated
  from their parent and wish to return to their
  home.
• Your grandchildren's feelings may come out in
  many ways, including behavior.
• No matter their behavior, your grandchildren
• need your comfort and support.

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• Remember that children often act out in a safe
  place.
• When grandkids first arrive, they may be on their
  best behavior.

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Focus on creating a stable environment
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• Establish a routine.
• Encourage their input in their new home.
• Set up clear, age-appropriate house rules and
  enforce them consistently.

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• Make sure that each grandchild has a private
  space.
• Offer your time and attention.

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Encourage open and honest communication
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• Plan regular times when you sit and talk to each
  other.
• Encourage your grandchildren to talk about their
  feelings, both good and bad.
• Help your grandkids learn to identify their
  emotions.

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• Young children communicate through play.
• Its okay to say, I dont know.

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How much should you tell young grandchildren?

• Avoid telling the child too much.
• Avoid telling the child too little or nothing at
  all.
• Never twist the facts or lie to the child.

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Encourage contact with parents
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• Dont put your grandchild in the middle.
• Communicate and cooperate with your grandchilds
  parent.
• Make visits part of your grandchild's routine.

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• Be sensitive to your grandchilds feelings.
• Help your grandchild deal with disappointment.

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Get legal, financial, and caregiving support.
Related articles

• Grandparents Rights when Raising Grandchildren
• Separation Anxiety in Children
• Staying Healthy over 50
• Exercise and Fitness over 50
• Help for Parents of Troubled Teens

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Reference Articles

• Grandfamilies Guide If you are just starting to
  care for your grandchild, this guide will help
  you find your way. Covers legal issues, family
  challenges, and how to find support. (AARP)
• Grandparenting Today - Grandparents Raising
  Grandchildren Series of publications covers
  family relationships and child development issues
  that you may face as a grandparent raising a
  grandchild. (University of Wisconsin Cooperative
  Extension)
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Practical
  fact sheets for grandparents raising grandkids.
  Includes information on moving your grandchild
  into your home and staying in contact with
  parents. (The University of Georgia Cooperative
  Extension)

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Reference Articles

• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Series
  Series of articles covering topics such as
  reasons for your grandchilds misbehavior and
  building strong families. (University of Florida
  IFAS Extension)
• Grandfamilies Challenges of Caring for the
  Second Family (PDF) Introduction to some of the
  challenges you may face when raising a
  grandchild, including legal, financial,
  educational, and mental health issues.
  (Generations United)
• GrandFacts State fact sheets for grandparents
  raising grandchildren. Learn about local programs
  and resources, foster care policies and services,
  public benefits, and financial assistance. (AARP)
• Generations United - Grandfamilies Free fact
  sheets and publications for grandparents raising
  grandchildren, including information about legal,
  financial, and support. (Generations United)

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Senescence Theories
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Perceptions and Misconceptions of Old Age
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Summary

• This slide presentation has attempted to describe
  the psychological and physical problems and
  challenges that relate to the increasing
  challenge of grandparents raising grandchildren.
  Perceptions and misconceptions were mentioned
  that may exist regarding the older population and
  their ability/inability to perform such a
  responsible and sometimes necessary function.
  This was also taken from some of the personal
  experiences of the author who took care of some
  and also foster-parented one of her own
  grandchildren.

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References

• Aging Myths 10 Common Misconceptions About
  Growing Older. (2012, June 22). Huffington Post.
  Retrieved from http//www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/
  06/22/aging-myths_n_1592990.html
• Exercise and Fitness Over 50. (2013). Retrieved
  from http//www.helpguide.org/life/senior_fitness_
  sports.htm
• Foos, P. W., Clark, M. C. (2008). Human Aging
  (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http//online.vitalsourc
  e.com//books/9781269311656/pages/76739563
• Grandparents Rights When Raising Grandchildren.
  (2013). Retrieved from http//www.helpguide.org/me
  ntal/help_for_grandparents_raising_grandchildren.h
  tm
• Help for Parents of Troubled Teens. (2013).
  Retrieved from http//www.helpguide.org/mental/tro
  ubled-teens.htm

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References

• Perception. (2013). In Dictionary. Retrieved from
  http//www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/percepti
  on
• Separation Anxiety in Children. (2013). Retrieved
  from http//www.helpguide.org/mental/separation_an
  xiety_causes_prevention_treatment.htm
• Smith, M., Segal, J. (2013). Grandparents as
  Parents. Retrieved from http//www.helpguide.org/m
  ental/child_family_grandparents_raising_grandchild
  ren.htm
• Staying Healthy Over 50. (2013). Retrieved from
  http//www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_aging_senior
  s_aging_well.htm
• Wear and Tear Theories of Aging. (2010).
  Retrieved from http//www.programmed-aging.org/the
  ories/wear_and_tear.html
• misconception. (2013). In Free Online Dictionary.
  Retrieved from http//www.thefreedictionary.com/mi
  sconception