Comments on: Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren

By: Maeve Changuion

Maeve Changuion — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:58:43 +0000

I'm Marlon and Syreeta's South African friend. This year is my 3 score and 10th year! In 1993 God brought a young Ndebele girl into my home in the midst of a successful career. My life was turned upside down. I had to turn from looking after 'self' (I'm unmarried)and concentrate on a 10 year old daughter (now 27). Two young boys later joined our family. This was the beginning of my Rainbow Family. I love God's ways. What appears to be totally inconvenient is again and again God's ways of changing us with the greatest blessings in life.

As I haven't any grandchildren – yet – I'd like to comment on the wisdom God gave me when raising my daughter Esther when she came to live in my home as a 10 year old. First and foremost I daily looked for things that Esther was doing RIGHT, and always commented on this. Her self esteem was enhanced. She believed the power of these words and today is an awesome young lady. Discipline with love was also a priority in our home. Today I'm Proudly South African to have 3 wonderful young people in my life who God used to change my self centered behaviour into that which now represents Him to this world with Love, Joy and Peace.

Meeting Marlon 12 years ago is also one of God's wonderful blessings in my life. Then followed Syreeta, Deja, Jade and Cory. How wealthy I am!

Maeve Changuion

By: Maeve Changuion

Maeve Changuion — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:58:43 +0000

I'm Marlon and Syreeta's South African friend. This year is my 3 score and 10th year! In 1993 God brought a young Ndebele girl into my home in the midst of a successful career. My life was turned upside down. I had to turn from looking after 'self' (I'm unmarried)and concentrate on a 10 year old daughter (now 27). Two young boys later joined our family. This was the beginning of my Rainbow Family. I love God's ways. What appears to be totally inconvenient is again and again God's ways of changing us with the greatest blessings in life.
As I haven't any grandchildren – yet – I'd like to comment on the wisdom God gave me when raising my daughter Esther when she came to live in my home as a 10 year old. First and foremost I daily looked for things that Esther was doing RIGHT, and always commented on this. Her self esteem was enhanced. She believed the power of these words and today is an awesome young lady. Discipline with love was also a priority in our home. Today I'm Proudly South African to have 3 wonderful young people in my life who God used to change my self centered behaviour into that which now represents Him to this world with Love, Joy and Peace.
Meeting Marlon 12 years ago is also one of God's wonderful blessings in my life. Then followed Syreeta, Deja, Jade and Cory. How wealthy I am!
Maeve Changuion

By: Donna Maria Coles Johnson

Donna Maria Coles Johnson — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 19:34:29 +0000

While I am not a grandparent, I do have two children so I know how much work raising children is. I have also watched as my deceased friend's parents have raised her daughter — an unexpected thing in their golden years. I hope that grandparents going through this are asking for help. There are services for senior citizens in most cities and counties that might offer some kind of assistance. Also, it might be possible that the parents of the children are entitled to some kind of benefits to help raise their children, and those benefits may inure to the grandparents if they are the ones doing the raising. I also suggest joining a support group for people who are similarly situated. It's amazing how much the support of other people going through the same thing can ease the stress. I hope this helps someone!