Becoming the primary caregiver for a grandchild is often sudden and unexpected. Retirement plans must make way for the responsibility of rearing a second family. On top of the emotional stress for all concerned, there may be financial and legal difficulties as well.
If you’re a grandparent raising grandchildren, the following suggestions may be of assistance:
Legal status
Seeking to adopt your grandchild is usually the most secure outcome for the grandparent and the child. In terms of Section 228 of the New Children’s Act 38 of 2005, a child is adopted if the child is placed in the permanent care of a person in terms of a court order made by a presiding officer of a Children’s Court. Once adopted, it follows that full parental powers and guardianship flows to the adoptive parents.
As a rule, when neither parent can provide a satisfactory home for the children, the court will try to award care to another relative, such as a grandparent.
When granting care to anyone other than the parents, the court will take into account the child’s relationship with this other person, the amount the other person has contributed to expenses of the child regarding birth and maintenance, the degree of commitment the other person has towards the child and the child’s best interests.
Financial support
Although the welfare system in South Africa is overburdened, childcare grants are available through government agencies.
Emotional health of the grandchildren
Children usually mourn the loss of parental presence, even if the parents were abusive or ineffectual. The emotional and behavioural problems that may result can run the gamut from acting out at school to suicidal behaviour. In more severe cases, counselling is necessary. This may put another strain on your finances, although counselling is available through non-profit organisations either for free or at a reduced cost.
Emotional and physical health of the grandparents
A supprt group of grandparents in similar situations can prove invaluable. If there is no support group in your area, consider starting one of your own.
If you have physical problems that restrict your ability to fully participate in your grandchildren’s lives, other family members should step in when needed so that the children are not forced to face yet another move. Sometimes your stamina will probably fail even if you are healthy, so it’s important that you put your own health first.
Remember, your grandchildren are our future, and you are performing the most important job there is.
Sources
Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov.za/legislation/acts/2005-038%20childrensact.pdf
Helping the children. Retrieved from http://www.raisingyourgrandchildren.com/HelpingtheChildren.htm
Mokone, JM. 2006. Challenges experienced by grandparents raising grandchildren: an exploratory study. Social Work/Maatskaplike werk, vol 46 no 2. Retrieved from http://socialwork.journals.ac.za/pub/article/view/311/295
(Revised by M van Deventer)