By First Things First
The relationship between a child and a grandparent is a special bond. As the nation celebrated Grandparents’ Day this month, let’s take a look at those grandparents who are not only showering their grandkids with love, but also helping support and raise those kids in their homes.
U.S. Census figures show about 2.7 million grandparents are responsible for most of the basic needs of children living with them. In Arizona, there are almost 60,000 grandparents who are responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under the age of 18, according to a 2013 estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau.
More than a dozen cities across Arizona have proclaimed September as Kinship Care Month, a time to recognize grandparents and other family members raising children who cannot be cared for by their own parents.
For many grandparents, it can be challenging when it has been decades since they cared for young children. So much has been learned about brain science and babies. About 90 percent of a child’s brain develops before age 5. Quality early interactions are crucial for a young child’s success in school and later in life.
In Arizona, there are two statewide resources that can provide advice and support to grandparents who are parenting a second time around.
The Birth to 5 Helpline (1-877-705-KIDS) is a free program and open to all Arizona families, with young children ages birth to 5, looking for the latest child development information from experts in the field.
Then there’s the Arizona Parent Kit, which is given to families of newborns when they leave the hospital or available for check-out at many libraries, each kit includes: DVDs on everything from challenging behaviors to choosing child care, a book to encourage daily reading with infants and a list of community resources.
Supporting grandparents in their efforts to raise the next generation will help create a strong foundation of learning, growth and success for all children.
— For more tips and tools for supporting quality and healthy development in the first five years, visit www.FirstThingsFirstAZ.gov.