Support Groups for Grandparents
As a grandparent raising grandchildren, do you ever feel alone and that there is no one that understands the challenges you face? Do you feel disconnected from the world because your friends and even some of your family members don’t understand why you are raising your grandchildren? Would you like the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others who are doing the same thing? If so, you are not alone.
There are millions of others in your shoes at varying degrees. Some of you have used up your entire life savings to fight for your grandparent rights. Some of you are not only raising your grandchildren, but are taking care of elderly and/or ailing parents. Some of you are also raising your own children, or supporting your adult children, and may have as many as 4 generations living in your household. Some of you are divorced or widowed and are doing it all on your own.
Regardless of your situation, it comes down to two things: 1) You would not trade having your grandchildren live with you for anything, and 2) You would like to be part of a group of other grandparents who are raising grandchildren to share with, and learn from, others. Am I right?
In 1943, Abraham Maslow embarked on his well-known Hierarchy of Needs. It demonstrates how human beings move up this hierarchy of psychological needs.
The lowest level includes the most basic needs of food, water, shelter, clothing and the ability to perform basic bodily functions. The next level is that of safety and security, which includes personal, financial, and health and well-being needs. The third level is social where friendship, love and belonging, and having a supportive family are needed. This level can be achieved through clubs, social groups, churches, or sports teams.
In your situation, you may be struggling in both level two and three. However, being part of a social or support group (level three) may help you in your safety and security needs by gaining access to information from others in the group. When your needs in levels two and three have been met, you will be on your way to the next level of self-esteem and self-respect.
Being part of a support group or system is important for everyone in order to achieve self-esteem and eventually the fifth level of the hierarchy of self-actualization where morality, creativity and spontaneity are experienced.
To meet the needs of grandparents raising grandchildren, and to provide a social support mechanism to share ideas, experiences and gain access to resources, I am getting ready to launch an on-line organization called the Association of United Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. This organization will include resources such as article, video and audio information, a members area forum to discuss your own situations and get feedback from others, monthly group coaching calls and lists of resources to help you in your situation, to name a few.
If you are interested in participating in a support group, I invite you to take a brief 6 question survey to answer some basic questions about your situation and how this organization may be of help to you.
You can access the survey at http://surveys.polldaddy.com/s/17AABFD9A9E39FA3/. It should take you less than 4 minutes to complete, and would be very helpful in the development of an organization designed to serve your needs.
Warm regards,
Kay L. Fontana
“The Grandcoach”
