The phenomenon of grandparents and other relatives raising children is not new. However, the number of children being raised by someone other than a parent has increased dramatically over the last 25 years. There are several factors contributing to the growing number of grandparents raising grandchildren. These include: alcohol and drug abuse, neglect, abuse, and abandonment, death of a parent, poverty, and teen pregnancy. In most cases, children taken care of by grandparents move in with them as infants or preschoolers and remain with them for five years or more. These grandparents are a diverse group ranging in the ages from the thirties to the eighties. When the grandparents take over the responsibility of being a primary parent again, it can stir up many feelings including grief, anger, loss, resentment, and possible guilt. This transition can be very stressful and the emotional and financial burdens can be significant. Culture shock at having to deal with children of a different generation can be great.

Many grandparents who care for their grandchildren need to find others who can offer emotional support, encouragement, and advice. Friends who are not going through these joys and challenge many not really understand. Support groups are often the answer to this problem. Support groups offer emotional support to grandparents who feel alone and isolated. They create a network of grandparents and other relatives who are in a care-giving situation They give grandparents/relatives ideas on formulating positive solutions to difficult problems. They serve as a clearinghouse for resources and information. They offer a safe place for grandparents/relatives to discuss and blow off steam due to the emotional ups and downs of raising children. Grandparents who have been in the caregiving role for a long period of time and are successful come to the support groups and serve as a mentor for other families who are new to their situation. Members of a support group can give you information about local resources and they can offer advice on how to get past barriers when dealing with local agencies.

Senior Services of Effingham County has developed support groups and services for grandparents, aunts, and uncles who are raising relatives. This group is for grandparents or family members raising their kin, regardless of age, circumstances, or residency.

The Effingham site offers a meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 12:30. It meets at Senior Services of Effingham County,209 S Merchant. A light snack is served and child care is provided. Discussion is given offering parent tips, emotional support and advice, and she also talks about ways to take care of you. Rose Germer is the facilitator. There is no cost for this group. A monthly newsletter for relatives raising children is also available, please call to get your name on the mailing list.

If you would like to participate in this group, please call 347-5569 to register.

Kay Crooks, facilitates a relatives raising children group in Marion County. Her number is 1-800-295-2903 and her office is located at 120 E. Green in Centralia. Please call to find the dates of the meetings or any other help you may need.

If you are a grandparent or relative in Fayette County, please contact Lorraine Payne at 1-866-618-4122. Her office is located at 109 S. Fifth in Vandalia.

If you are a grandparent or relative in Clay County, please contact Nancy Byers at 1-888-618-7304. Her office is located at 832 West North Ave., in Milt`s Alley, Flora.