John,
There’s an old joke: Why do grandparents love their grandkids so much? Because at the end of the day, they can give them back.
That’s not the case for grandparents like Kimberly, who live with their grandchildren and take care of them every day. Kimberly’s daughter Keishawn had a baby while still in school, and Kimberly knew Keishawn needed to graduate — it wasn’t an option. So she changed her routine to take care of the baby.
Kimberly shared her story with us as part of our campaign to identify and connect with grandparents who are caregivers for their grandchildren. Do you take care of your grandchildren, or do you know grandparents who do? Join us in celebrating Grandparents Day today by sharing your story.
It wasn’t always easy for Kimberly and her family. Her granddaughter got sick — and passed the illness on to the rest of the family. And they had to move out of their new house after finding lead a week after moving in. But as Kimberly says, “If I had to do it all over again, I would. In a second.”
So what is it? Why do grandparents love their grandkids so much, even when they live with them?
Kimberly explains that, “for us, it’s a special kind of love. I don’t think my daughter even understands it — she won’t understand it until she has grandbabies of her own.”
Caregiving happens in all kinds of ways and in all different directions — grandparents caring for grandchildren, grandchildren caring for grandparents, spouses, partners and friends caring for one another — and we need a system that can support it all.
Being able to be there for the people we love is what is at stake. Kimberly's family, and all our families — whether blood-related or chosen — deserve to be able to support each other and to afford care or to take paid time off to focus on what matters.
Your voice can help us build a system that works for all of us. Help us celebrate Grandparents Day by sharing your story with us today!
Thanks, and happy Grandparents Day!
Janet Kim
Communications Director
Caring Across Generations |
