anyone here doing it, its tough, any words of help, what keeps you going , my wife is just worn out, and I'm mad as (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman), not at grand kids , but parents, granddauther is 9 she is easy, but grandson is 2-1/2 and don't talk and is in diaper, he's a hand full

Well Roy,Im a grandparents genra raising my son of 8 alone. Not quite the same but similar. I will say this. When I brought him with me from the philippines he had just turned 3 and for 4 months I thought it was my biggest mistake of many. After we get into the swing of it..(.Im a mom,dad,cook,worker etc. Dishwasher,chauffer,,woodcutter) and on and on with health issues and I find its the most rewarding experience of my life even in my 60"s.
Hang in there it gets better. Dont spare the rod and spoil the child. Love with discipline and structure is the key.. Partly words from your new u.p. resident...he explained it to me.

We helped our divorced daughter, two grandsons 3 and 5 years old. About 50% of care and expenses. After her divorce our daughter started medical school. Our son has no kids and has been a great involved uncle also. Now our daughter is well into her career, the grandsons are young men. What's nice? Having two strapping young men around as my body ages. I always figured ways to get chores done, while burning off the young energy of the toddlers. Turn work into play, play into work while they're young. I started at about 2 1/2 or so with my grandsons, before it became full time at 3 and 5. Recruit the granddaughter to help chase the young one. It will help their lifelong bond as siblings. It's sometimes hard to count the blessings instead of the negatives. Sometimes a tough hand of cards is dealt, but some poker hands are won with crap cards. I was a father very young: I had a chance to correct the mistakes I made as a teenage dad. With that young boy, shed the heavy work boots for running shoes, them buggers are fast or we're slow....

First of all, you and your wife are to be commended for stepping up and giving these kids a stable home!
I don't know much about this, but you might want to talk to a social worker. I think they may be a resource, especially for the younger one.

just cant see how a parent could just give up there children , for drugs

Cant see how a parent could give up their kid for many reasons.

When my youngest went to prison she had two kids at home. One a baby and the other a two year old. She was released after almost 8 years last Oct. to house arrest. She can go to work, she can go to church. She has to get permission a week in advance to go anywhere else. Wears a tracking collar on her ankle and gets drug tested. A lot.

Closing on a house Tuesday across the street. My mom is moving in and also my daughter. Grandkids are staying here. Daughter gets paroled next month and will have more freedom. Won't need permission to go to the grocery store for example.

I really wanted to be done raising kids but it wasn't in the cards. My family is one of the things I live for and what motivates me to go to work. Neither grandkid wants to live with Mom even though they have been building a relationship over the last 7 months. She is only going to be across the street. So things are definitely looking up.

Danny,you are one of the people on here that make it worth coming on. Old school with a reason. We use to chat alot in chat about 99 when I had just come from s.d.

I remember west river. I miss those chat days

Hang in there. God doesn't give up on us no matter how many times we fail. It's a noble thing you are doing.

Absolutely

And yes it is!!!

You said your wife is really worn out. If you can afford it, maybe you could hire a school kid to babysit for a few hours after school to give her some time to herself?

It took us a year to see good progress with the grandkids when we got them and another year to get things running on track, they were six and two and we had a four year old.. At on point you could literally see the oldest stop and think which direction to go right or wrong. It was a hard road but they've all turned into fine young men.

My wife and I are raising our Grandson. He has been with us since he was 2 months old and is 14 now going into High School. Playing Senior League baseball this summer. He missed 2 seasons.

I believe I am going to take a knee and give thanks for having parents who did it right.

For those of you who stepped up and filled a much-needed role... Thank you. And God bless.

Mike

You and the missus are good people Trapper D.

thanks guy sounds like we are not alone , in being grandparents raising grand kids,

If you can afford it I’d put the oldest in after school child care and the youngest in daycare a couple of days a week. Socialization is very important for a child’s development even when they’re pre-school.

Sports in the summer for the oldest if possible. Carpool for the sports when an option. Pretty much pawn them off on trusted people when you can. Everybody needs a break. Lol

Almost forgot lots of sunshine and fresh air.

I couldn’t imagine…I do love seeing my granddaughter (almost 11mos) daily, but having an almost 8yr old son is enough, lol.