Raising Grandchildren

I'm not a grandparent yet... actually my oldest child is only 11. But I think it's great that you've done this. It's such a shame that the parents could not be responsible enough to act in the best interest of their children, and I'm sure it must hurt you that your child behaves that way. My children go to school with a boy who was adopted by his grandparents. He and his younger brother were both abused and malnourished, they were sent to live with one set of grandparents, and their situation got worse, so they ended up with the other set of grandparents. Now they've been in this situation a few years (we've known the family 2 years now) and they are doing quite well. I know it can't be easy, but it's great that the kids have a good home now.

The grandkids are a handful as we get older. My son was in the military when I came to live with them. One was 2 and the other one was 4. They are now 20 and 22 and we still live together. Their father got remarried about 3 years ago and moved to Michigan last fall. I and the kids stayed here so they could finish school with their friends. Their mother has simply dropped out of the picture from her choice. The kids still call me grandma but think of me as mom. I was 40 at the time so there really hasn't been any hard changes that were difficult for me. I love my grandkids but sometimes wish I could be the indulging grandparent that most kids have.

Wow you are doing a great job and hats off to you. It is definitely hard to raise children after that age and after lots of free time you have had. Having kids of that age need lots of attention as I am seeing that in my youngest who is 3 1/2. He is at his best one time and at his naughtiest at the other. So I have to be prepared always. My MIL raised my Bil's kids, but it was not full time. She took care of them when they go to office. Both the parents were working. But still she have found hard to manage them, when they have tantrums. Due to the age factor, she have felt quite at loss so many times. But you can talk to those kids as they are quite old enough to understand what is needed out of them. And how much you can do for your age. Kids of today's generation are smart enough to understand what is expected out of them. You can always hire a nanny to take care of them, if your finances permit. Some one quite young, who can run around with them. There will be lots of youngsters who will willingly volunteer.

What wonderful people you are.I am a grandmother and look after my daughters two during the holidays and sometimes if she needs a night or weekend off. I love them to bits they are four and five and goodness me after two days I am exhausted, my youngest son of fifteen is very good with them and takes over for the odd half hour so I can gather my breath , they are not naughty kids they are good ,but they are such hard work, when they are with me all I seem to do is prepare food, wash up and play ball or something.I am fifty one ,I don't know how old you are,but to do it full time, I take my hat off to you.I should imagine your finances are stretched to the limit and your patience ,having had six years of freedom to do as you like when you feel like it, must have come as a terrible shock, I must admit I don't think I could do what you are doing. I am ashamed to say it would be too much for me, and I would have to have them fostered with a nice family and visit them, it will kill you in the end and they will have no one ,take care my love.xxx