The family structure has taken on a new form over the last decade. In New Hampshire, more young children are living in relative-headed households rather than with their biological parent, whether it be an aunt, sibling, or, most commonly, a grandparent.
Children love spending time with their grandparents. However, this becomes a different type of visit when children are moving to safety under their grandparent’s care. The idea of “going to grandma’s house” takes on a new meaning. There are a variety of reasons this is becoming a common, and sometime permanent, living situation. Domestic violence, substance misuse, and long-term trauma can interfere with a person’s ability to parent their child. The shift in a living situation changes the nature of the relationship between child and grandparent, often placing older individuals in stressful conditions that involve financial and emotional strain.
According to a 2021 factsheet by grandfamilies.org, there are 6,970 New Hampshire grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. In 2019, 62.5 percent were under 60 years old and almost 60 percent in the workforce. 27.7 percent of grandparents caring for grandkids were disabled and on fixed incomes. And, astoundingly, 8.4 percent were living below the poverty line. Finding and affording childcare under these circumstances are immense responsibilities.
Grand-family arrangements can cause a breakdown of an entire family structure. Grandparents can be left with a decision to take their grandkids or risk state placement of their loved ones in foster care. Some may assume that the parents of these children are happy that their parent is willing to step up, but often this is not the case. Blame is sometimes placed on the grandparent, while the parents navigate through the system to reach their goals for reunification. Yet children placed in grandparent care often remain there due to complicated factors that may include drug misuse, domestic violence, or other destabilizing circumstances.
Fortunately, resources are available for families, including Family Support New Hampshire and New Hampshire Family Voices. Turning Points Network offers emotional supports, resources, and court advocacy to help with the family’s transition for those who are impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking. With the holiday season adding additional stressors, TPN is here to help.
OUR TURN is a public service series by Turning Points Network (TPN) serving all of Sullivan County with offices in Claremont and Newport. We provide wraparound supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking and we present violence-prevention education programs in our schools. For more than 40 years, TPN has helped people of all ages move toward living with respect, healing, and hope that we all deserve. We can be reached 24/7 on our crisis and support line at 1-800-639-3130 and, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, we are available on our chatline at turninqpointsnetwork.org or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
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