Grandparents increasingly are finding themselves in the role of primary caregiver or guardian for their grandchildren, especially during the recession. Just from 2006 to 2007, the number of children living with a grandparent as a guardian jumped 6 percent, according to research by The Pew Research Center.
Numbers like these hold true for the grandparents and children at Venetian Hills Elementary, according to Principal Eunice Robinson. “Seeing this trend during registration, we decided to address the problem by organizing a grandparent support group,” Robinson said.
Hence the formation of the Grandparents Club, or the GPS Club. The club has elected officers and is halfway through an eight-week course focusing on the new parent role that has been thrust upon them. Weekly sessions include “Addressing the Role of the Absentee Parent,” “Navigating the School System,” “Behavior Management,” “Grandparent Resources,” “Physical Health and Wellness,” “Mental Health and Wellness” and “Finances and Creating Dream Pathways.”