Dealing With Family Issues and Conflicts
By Susan Adcox, About.com Guide to Grandparents
No one said that grandparenting would be all fun. Special challenges must be met by stepgrandparents, long-distance grandparents and grandparents raising grandchildren. Gift-giving and other financial matters can also be hot-button issues.
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Grandparent Visitation Rights
- Grandparents and Child Care
- Stepgrandparenting
- Long-Distance Grandparenting
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
It's not a new phenomenon, but statistics suggest that grandparents are raising grandchildren in ever growing numbers. Legal issues and financial strain top the list of hot issues for this group, but the emotional health and social needs of both the grandparents and grandchildren must also be considered.
- Issues Facing Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- One Woman's Story of Being Raised by a Grandfather
Grandparent Visitation Rights
Do grandparents have an inherent right to see their grandchildren? The short answer is no. Although every state has a statute governing grandparent visitation rights, the U.S. Supreme Court case of Troxel v. Granville gives fit parents the right to allow or disallow visitation.
Grandparents and Child Care
Lots of grandparents today provide child care for their grandchildren. Sometimes they are occasional babysitters, and sometimes they provide regular care for working parents. Here are issues to consider before making a commitment to be a child care provider, as well as hints to make those occasional babysitting gigs go more smoothly.
- Financial Issues for Grandparent Child Care Providers
- Other Factors in Grandparent Child Care
- What Grandparent Babysitters Want Parents to Know
Stepgrandparenting
The most common way of becoming a stepgrandparent is through a child who becomes a stepparent. You may also become a stepgrandparent by marrying someone with grandchildren. Being part of a blended family can give rise to special issues, especially in the areas of money and gifts.
- Helpful Hints for Stepgrandparents
- Fitting Into a Blended Family
- Becoming a Stepgrandparent Through Marriage
- FAQs About Stepfamily Issues
Long-Distance Grandparenting
With many families separated by hundreds and even thousands of miles, the maintaining of close family relationships becomes problematical. Many long-distance grandparents have found ways to remain close to their grandchildren in spite of the miles, especially through the use of technology.
Physical and Mental Fitness
Grandparenting is much easier and more fun when physical and mental fitness is optimized. If you're not sure how to go about beginning a workout program, or what to do about your increasing forgetfulness, we have suggestions and links for you.
Ages and Stages
Babies are precious, but older grandchildren bring their own delights and their own challenges. Whether your grandchildren are infants or teens, you'll benefit from these insights into what makes them tick. Read on to discover special activities for each age and stage.
- Your Grandbaby's First Year
- Your Grandchildren Ages 1 to 3
- Grandparenting Preschoolers
- School Age Grandchildren
Family Conflicts and Crises
All families have conflicts, some minor and some serious. Learning to see things from the point of view of other family members is key. Good communication skills are vital. Grandparents also must realize that their seniority in the family doesn't grant them license to make decisions for others.
- Grandparents Visitation Rights
- Tips for Communicating With Adult Children
- Handling Differences About Discipline
- Preparing for a Grandparent Death
- Dealing With a Grandparent Death
Financial Issues
Grandparents who are in a position to help their children and grandchildren financially need to make smart decisions. Helping to pay for college for their grandchildren is the dream of many grandparents, but it's not the right decision for many.
Choosing Gifts
The image of the grandparent bearing gifts is a cliché with some basis in truth. Although their shopping habits and their financial status may vary widely, almost all grandparents enjoy giving to grandchildren. Here's advice to help you choose just the right gift.
