You and your spouse see the struggles faced by your grandchildren. The youngsters are not getting the attention, guidance and nutrition they deserve namely because their parents are substance abusers.
This is no way for any child to grow up. After months of watching from a distance, the two of you see no other choice but to pursue the adoption of your grandchildren. You understand it will be a challenge due to the generation gap, but you are prepared and want to provide a more stable environment for them.
Nearly 3 million children live with grandparents
Increasingly, more grandparents are serving as the primary caregivers for their grandchildren, simply because the parents – for any number of reasons — do not have the ability to do so.
Roughly 2.9 million U.S. children lived with their grandparents in 2015, according to the Philadelphia-based The Pew Charitable Trusts. That number represents a 16% increase or 400,000 more grandparents raising their grandchildren than in 2005.
Certain factors play roles
Difficulties experienced by the children’s parents are among the reasons why grandparents, sometimes, are forced to fulfill the caregiver role of their grandchildren. A combination of any of these factors may play a role:
- Abuse and neglect: The parent handbook does not include physical abuse and disregarding a child’s needs. A physically and mentally bruised child belongs in a different home.
- Substance abuse: Alcoholism and drug addiction remain among the banes of society. The increased use of opioids has left many parents without the faculties to properly raise children.
- Incarceration: Nearly 3.6% of U.S. children have at least one parent in prison, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts.
- Unemployment: The loss of a job may lead to financial hardship for a family, leading to parents doing desperate things.
- Physical and mental health: A parent’s limitations due to medical and mental illnesses may prevent him or her from adequately raising children, while exposing the youngsters to hardship and anxiety.
When confronted by any of these problems, parents may become absent in more ways than one. This includes being absent from their children.
Ensuring a stable life
In these delicate situations, grandparents may feel that it is their duty to step forward and grab the reins of responsibility to adopt and raise their grandchildren. It just may be the best choice to ensure these youngsters have a stable life.