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Most people look forward to the joys of becoming a grandparent. Some grandparents, though, find that they have become full-time parents again!
In 2000, the Census Bureau estimated that in Virginia there were 136,006 grandparents living with grandchildren under 18 years of age. Almost half (46.8 percent) of these grandparents were responsible for the care of their grandchildren. Of these:
- 55.6 percent (the majority) were female;
- 84 percent were married;
- 55 percent were working; and
- 15 percent were living in poverty.
More than a third (38 percent) of these grandparents had been responsible for the care of their grandchildren for 5 or more years.
The reasons that grandparents step in to provide a stable home environment for their grandchildren are varied. Their own children may be experiencing family crises, illnesses, substance abuse or incarceration. The grandparent intervenes to prevent placement of the grandchildren in a foster home and to provide the love and support that every child needs and deserves.
Fortunately, services exist to help these grandparents address their caregiving responsibilities. View a listing of resources.
