COURAGEOUS LOVE

A valuable book for grandparents raising grandchildren is called COURAGEOUS LOVE: Instructions on Healing Circles for Children of Trauma by Laura Bailey on Amazon.com. You can get it on Kindle or in soft cover. The author is a therapist who specializes in childhood trauma and addresses PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress). Because the reason most of us are raising our grandchildren is due to a traumatic event of sorts, it is very common in many of the children we're raising. Sometimes, the symptoms are evident and other times are hidden. I had many "ah-ha" moments. This is an important book.

An Excellent and Honest Book About A Difficult Situation

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent and Honest Book About A Difficult Situation, April 16, 2014

By 

Irene Annette "Samba Baby" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Fifth Child: The Turbulent Path That Led to Parenting Our Child's Child (Kindle Edition)

I was very impressed with how well this book was written. Writing about drug addiction in an honest way is hard and this book tells it like it is. I found the story sad, but at the same time the honesty made it very readable. Lynne Gassel rose to the occation and prevailed against the odds. Most families would be torn apart by this, but they stuck together and came out better for it.

Yes, 10 Million!

            There is an estimated 10 million grandparents having custodial responsibility for their grandchildren, according to the Foundation for Grandparenting, established by Dr. Arthur Kornhaber. The majority of grandparents is under 65 years of age and employed, with half the grandchildren under 6 years of age. This outrageously high number could actually be higher. Casual unreported custody and fear of losing senior housing and other benefits prevent many grandparents from exposing their circumstances.

            According to Pew Research Center, households composed of multiple generations are higher than they have been in half a century. Pew also found that 1 in 10 children is parented by his grandparent(s).

            The Brookdale Grandparent Caregiver Information Project at UC Berkeley Center on Aging said in the last 10 years, the number of children living with their grandparents has increased 50%.

            In 2000, the U.S. census reported that 4.5 million children were being raised by their grandparents. In 2005, the number rose to 6 million and jumped to 8 million in 2008.

For those 10 million, here is a a list of resources. I hope you get the support you so deserve. 

GAP (Grandparents as Parents)Group (www.grandparentsasparents.org/): a support group for grandparents  raising grandchildren.

‎National Kinship Alliance for Children (www.KinshipAllience.org): a nationwide network of grandparents, community members, and professionals working together to provide education and support, advocacy and thought leadership for children, grandparents, and kinship families.

Raising Your Grandchildren (RaisingYourGrandchildren.com) by Karen Best Wright: a website with ongoing information for grandparents and kinship families.

Grandparenting Blog (www.GrandparentingBlog.com) by Karen Best Wright: an interactive online support site.

The Addict's Mom G2G (grandparent to grandparent) Sharing Without Shame (https://www.facebook.com/groups/154033158118579/): a closed secure forum for grandparents raising grandchildren due to their child’s addiction.

AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) (www.AARP.com. Then type grandparents raising grandchildren): provides information and forum for grandparents.                                            

GRAND (www.grandmagazine.com) is an online magazine with information and articles for grandparents or relatives raising children.

DON'T MISS THIS CD RELEASE PARTY!

OK, Friends and Family; This is my daughter Tracy's event. Her voice is AMAZING, her music MESMERIZING and her show ENCHANTING. Please come and show your support. Her music is going places! I know this. You will want to be part of it!!!!

Going

Carmella at Hotel Cafe

Saturday, May 24 at 8:00pm

The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, California

Great Review from Someone Who Knows

5.0 out of 5 stars Very touching and heartfelt, April 5, 2014

By 

Karen B. Wright - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fifth Child: The Turbulent Path That Led to Parenting Our Child's Child (Kindle Edition)

I read Lynne's book cover to cover. Her writing style is engaging and capturing. Even though I raised grandchildren for reasons other than drug addictions, I found Fifth Child to be inspirational yet down to earth. By the end of the book, I felt that I knew Lynne personally. Perhaps, I will someday. If you are a grandparent raising a grandchild or a parent dealing with your child's addictions, this is definitely a must read book. This is one of the best books I have read by a grandparent raising a grandchild.
Karen Wright

Karen B. Wright has a wonderfully informative Blog "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" www.grandparentingblog.com and an interactive website "Relatives Raising Children" www.raisinggrandchildren@earthlink.net

ANOTHER ONE! THANK YOU!

5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed from beginning to end., March 5, 2014

By 

amazonfan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Fifth Child: The Turbulent Path That Led to Parenting Our Child's Child (Paperback)

From the minute I started reading this book I was pulled into the story. It was written with both honesty and heart. I cried, I laughed and I cared about these people.

Love These 5-Star Reviews!

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book! Honestly written and compelling to read!, March 6, 2014

By 

Darcy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fifth Child: The Turbulent Path That Led to Parenting Our Child's Child (Paperback)

I loved this book! So well written and compelling to read. I read the whole thing in 2 days. Couldn't put the book down!! Life does not always turn out as one would hope. This book helped me see that there is good in every situation and that growth comes from the moments where we are challenged the most.