Having support during this time of your life when taking on such a large undertaking is very important there are three types of support.
You have your family and close friends that support what you do that you can vent to and hang out with. It helps you to adjust to your new life to this new beginning.
Another type of support is the support you go looking for in your community. I found a kinship program that is amazing support. I’ve been to many meetings. They have support group meetings each month. At this meeting they bring in guest speakers like an attorney to explain the court process. They bring in educators that help tell you about the foundations and grants available. They brought in backpacks and school supplies for the kids before school started. They bring in donated clothes and items Monthly so you can sort through and see if there are any clothes shoes that fit your children. This group also works with Dcf as kind of a liaison between the two. If you have problems with your case manager or you just feel like Dcf is not doing what you need this kinship program will help you. You could also look for groups that meet in local areas and at Parks. I know the mom groups are a lot easier to find than the Grandma groups but they are out there. Look for some person-to-person support in your community.
The third type of support to look for is online support. Groups such as on Facebook. I know some people think Facebook is a nightmare or just a bunch of people whining and complaining and shouting at each other over the political views. But if you dig deep into Facebook you can find some great information and great support. I’ve joined a few groups about grandparents raising grandchildren in Florida. I’ve also joined a kinship to foster group and nationwide grandparents raising grandchildren group. It’s great to have a private place where you can vent and ask questions and nobody really knows who you are. It’s not on your page so your friends and family don’t see it. You can get wonderful ideas of things to do with your grandchildren. You can post proud pictures of them and receive that support and attention if that’s what you need. It’s a great way to connect with people not just in your area but everywhere because grandparents raising grandchildren is not just limited to you or your area it is global.
I’ve also found that Pinterest which people think is just a place to go to see crafts that never turn out like the picture if you’re me, but it’s a place that has a lot of information. If you do a search for grandparents raising grandchildren you will find all kinds of resources and articles and statistics it’s an amazing place to get information.
Please make sure that you find some kind of support. Support is very important you can’t do this alone even if you are married and raising grandchildren you both need a place for that support you both need an outlet whether it’s together or separately find that support. Find friends that support what you’re doing. Talk to family members that support what you’re doing or go online and find support in other people in the same situation.
As always thank you for reading and following along while I raise these beautiful souls.
Please comment and questions or suggestion.
Dont forget to like and subscribe.
