Pamela High
Professor of Pediatrics at Brown University
Book Recommendations:
Recommended by Pamela High
“Grandfamilies are usually formed at a time of crisis. Over the past decade, several million grandparents have taken on the parenting role for one or more of their grandchildren. Once the initial shock has subsided, The Grandfamily Guidebook can support grandparents as they cope with, adjust to, and thrive in their new role. In plain language, Adesman and Adamec describe ways of identifying and dealing with grandparents’ feelings and ways of managing the middle generation of birth parents. They use meaningful vignettes to illustrate how to understand children’s reactions and emotional needs, how to effectively guide and encourage children at home and in school, and how to set reasonable limits on their behaviors. This very practical and readable guide offers up-to-date psychological, medical, and even a little legal advice and resources. It is positive in its approach and provides both understanding and encouragement to grandparents raising grandchildren.” (from Amazon)
Andrew Adesman, Christine Adamec(you?)
Andrew Adesman, Christine Adamec(you?)
Are you one of nearly 3 million grandparents across North America raising your grandchildren as part of a grandfamily? You may have done all this parenting stuff before, but times have changed since you raised your own kids, and you likely never thought you’d be raising kids again. What has led to all these family issues and the growing need for grandparents to step up? Now more than ever, substance use and addiction have made many birth parents simply unfit for the job, whether the problem is alcohol, opioids, or other drugs. Family dynamics might also be undermined by parents’ mental health or medical problems, incarceration, or a simple lack of preparedness for family responsibilities. Whatever the reason for your new role, you must now help your grandchildren adjust to their extended family as part of their everyday life, through the best care you are able to provide. While your new role means that you will likely have to change the way you live, the kinship care you provide your grandchildren might make all the difference in the world. In The Grandfamily Guidebook—which leading medical experts have called a “must-have” resource for grandparents raising grandchildren—authors Andrew Adesman, MD, and Christine Adamec offer expert medical advice, helpful insights gleaned from other grandparents, and data mined from the 2016 Adesman Grandfamily Study—the broadest and most diverse research study of its kind to date. You’ll also find hands-on tips you’ll be able to reference whenever you need them, including how to cope with difficult birth parents, school issues and social-life challenges, problem behaviors that stem from a difficult past, and your own self-care. Starting with its foreword by the renowned Dr. William Sears, across this book you will find practical, inspiring help as you navigate the financial impacts, legal considerations, and medical issues that commonly arise when grandparents and grandchildren start becoming a grandfamily.