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SmartTips is a totally free weekly eMail newsletter featuring expert advise and tips on the topics that matter to you, such as:
- Tempated by new car deals? Check here first to avoid over-paying.
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| Get SmartTips Newsletters by Email |
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SmartTips is a totally free weekly eMail newsletter featuring expert advise and tips on the topics that matter to you, such as:
- Tempated by new car deals? Check here first to avoid over-paying.
- End of the year anticipation? Did something change this year that will affect your taxes?
- 529 College Savings Plans. Your children are never too young—or too old—for you to get started.
Save money with FREE tips on everything from budgeting, managing debt, buying insurance, and planning for retirement.
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Help Raise Your Grandchild
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Finding Help to Raise a Grandchild
Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild? More than 2.4 million grandparents are doing the same thing you are. They stepped in at a moment's notice when their families needed help. They put their own plans on hold. They decided to take care of their grandchildren when the parents of those children could not.
These grandparents are probably a lot like you. The majority are younger than 60. Many feel all alone. And most don't know where to get the help they need. There are so many issues to think about when you begin to raise a grandchild.
This overview will help you find some tips on how to best address these issues and learn who can help.
© 1995-2007, AARP. All rights reserved
Finding Help to Raise a Grandchild
Are you a grandparent raising a grandchild? More than 2.4 million grandparents are doing the same thing you are. They stepped in at a moment's notice when their families needed help. They put their own plans on hold. They decided to take care of their grandchildren when the parents of those children could not.
These grandparents are probably a lot like you. The majority are younger than 60. Many feel all alone. And most don't know where to get the help they need. There are so many issues to think about when you begin to raise a grandchild.
This overview will help you find some tips on how to best address these issues and learn who can help.
© 1995-2007, AARP. All rights reserved
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Notice
By clicking any of the link(s) on this page you will be transferring from this Marsh site to a site comprised of third party content. You hereby agree that Marsh is not responsible or liable in any manner for such third party content hosted on the linked site.
Notice
By clicking any of the link(s) on this page you will be transferring from this Marsh site to a site comprised of third party content. You hereby agree that Marsh is not responsible or liable in any manner for such third party content hosted on the linked site.
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Finding Help Raising a Grandchild
There are many issues to think about when you begin to raise a grandchild. Some of the items you need to consider are legal status, housing, finances, education and healthcare. Get tips on how to best address these issues and where to get additional help.
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Finding Help Raising a Grandchild
There are many issues to think about when you begin to raise a grandchild. Some of the items you need to consider are legal status, housing, finances, education and healthcare. Get tips on how to best address these issues and where to get additional help.
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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See If Your Eligible For Public Benefits This resource will help you find the state, federal, and private programs for which you are eligible.
Source: AARP
| Note | | The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
See If Your Eligible For Public Benefits This resource will help you find the state, federal, and private programs for which you are eligible.
Source: AARP
| Note | | The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Deal With Housing Issues
"There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She had so many children she didn't know what to do." We've all heard this famous nursery rhyme. We can even picture that old woman in our mind's eye. She's standing outside a two-story house that is shaped like a shoe. Children are leaning out of every window. They look happy. She looks worried.
Grandparents raising grandchildren can relate to the woman's concerns. On some days, their homes feel like a shoe that's a few sizes too small. Those homes may have been quite cozy before the grandchildren moved in. Now they are crowded and inadequate.
More grandparents are raising grandchildren than ever before. As a result, their housing problems are starting to get noticed. Groups around the country are now working to make things better. Some have been successful. Read about these success stories and more!
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Deal With Housing Issues
"There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. She had so many children she didn't know what to do." We've all heard this famous nursery rhyme. We can even picture that old woman in our mind's eye. She's standing outside a two-story house that is shaped like a shoe. Children are leaning out of every window. They look happy. She looks worried.
Grandparents raising grandchildren can relate to the woman's concerns. On some days, their homes feel like a shoe that's a few sizes too small. Those homes may have been quite cozy before the grandchildren moved in. Now they are crowded and inadequate.
More grandparents are raising grandchildren than ever before. As a result, their housing problems are starting to get noticed. Groups around the country are now working to make things better. Some have been successful. Read about these success stories and more!
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Deal With Legal Issues
Does your grandchild live with you? Chances are it started out as an informal arrangement. You probably thought the child would stay for a short time. In the eyes of the law, the parent was still in charge. You had no legal rights or legal relationship to your grandchild. You could not make decisions for the child. You were an "informal" caregiver.
After a while, some grandparent caregivers find that it's hard to raise their grandchildren without some legal rights or a formal legal relationship. These grandparents may have trouble enrolling their grandchildren in school. They may not be able to give a doctor permission to treat their grandchild. They worry that an unfit parent may come back and take the child away. And often they have trouble getting financial help to raise the child. To get more rights, these grandparents may ask the court to help. They may ask to change their legal relationship to the grandchildren they are raising by getting legal custody or guardianship, or they may ask to adopt their grandchildren. Other grandparents may not take those steps, but they may find other legal options that will help.
Changing your legal relationship is a big decision. Before you make any decisions, be sure to learn about all the legal options your state gives you. You may be surprised at how many options you have.
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Deal With Legal Issues
Does your grandchild live with you? Chances are it started out as an informal arrangement. You probably thought the child would stay for a short time. In the eyes of the law, the parent was still in charge. You had no legal rights or legal relationship to your grandchild. You could not make decisions for the child. You were an "informal" caregiver.
After a while, some grandparent caregivers find that it's hard to raise their grandchildren without some legal rights or a formal legal relationship. These grandparents may have trouble enrolling their grandchildren in school. They may not be able to give a doctor permission to treat their grandchild. They worry that an unfit parent may come back and take the child away. And often they have trouble getting financial help to raise the child. To get more rights, these grandparents may ask the court to help. They may ask to change their legal relationship to the grandchildren they are raising by getting legal custody or guardianship, or they may ask to adopt their grandchildren. Other grandparents may not take those steps, but they may find other legal options that will help.
Changing your legal relationship is a big decision. Before you make any decisions, be sure to learn about all the legal options your state gives you. You may be surprised at how many options you have.
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Learn More About Grandparenting You are not along! Are you raising your grandchild? If so, you are not alone. There are 2.4 million other grandparents in the U.S. who are responsible for the grandchildren living in their homes. As a grandparent caregiver, you may be facing new challenges. Use this guide to learn more about grandparenting.
Source: AARP
| Note | | The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Learn More About Grandparenting You are not along! Are you raising your grandchild? If so, you are not alone. There are 2.4 million other grandparents in the U.S. who are responsible for the grandchildren living in their homes. As a grandparent caregiver, you may be facing new challenges. Use this guide to learn more about grandparenting.
Source: AARP
| Note | | The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Learn About Child Emotions Is it just a phase or a serious problem? Help your grandchild cope with life's ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Or find out how to understand your grandchild's behavior, whether it's toddler tantrums or teenage depression.
Source: Nemours Foundations, Kidshealth.org
| Note | | The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Learn About Child Emotions Is it just a phase or a serious problem? Help your grandchild cope with life's ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Or find out how to understand your grandchild's behavior, whether it's toddler tantrums or teenage depression.
Source: Nemours Foundations, Kidshealth.org
| Note | | The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Learn How to Discipline Your Child
As a grandparent, it is your job to teach your grandchild the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. But getting your grandchild to behave the way you want is not as hard as you think.
Find strategies that work by clicking Continue below.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Learn How to Discipline Your Child
As a grandparent, it is your job to teach your grandchild the difference between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. But getting your grandchild to behave the way you want is not as hard as you think.
Find strategies that work by clicking Continue below.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Look into Child Tax Credits
Did you know that the IRS will give you money back just for having a child living in your home? Three tax credit programs give extra money to people who are raising children. That includes grandparents and great grandparents. If you qualify, you may be able to pay less to Uncle Sam each year.
Don't miss the chance to claim these credits!
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
Look into Child Tax Credits
Did you know that the IRS will give you money back just for having a child living in your home? Three tax credit programs give extra money to people who are raising children. That includes grandparents and great grandparents. If you qualify, you may be able to pay less to Uncle Sam each year.
Don't miss the chance to claim these credits!
Source: AARP
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Note |
| The products and services listed on this page are presented as a service to you. Neither L-3 nor Marsh recommends any product or service; there is no guarantee that any listing on this page will be suitable for a particular purpose. |
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Congratulations! You’re a grandparent or soon to become one. Although this transition is less challenging than becoming a parent, it does have its challenges—and joys. The checklist below will help you make the most of your grand-parenting years.
Hard to believe, but you’re a grandparent or will be soon. Get ready for some rollercoaster emotions—and the time of your life.How can your child be a parent? Weren’t you changing diapers just a few years ago? Welcome to the wonderful world of grandparenting, where you’ll forge new relationships with your children, your grandchildren, and the world around you. 
Grandchildren develop so fast it’s hard to keep pace. Your challenge: to understand them—and accept them—as they grow.You’ve probably forgotten how quickly kids change. But now that you’re a grandparent, getting reacquainted with these changes will be a big help.
When your grandchild visits your home, your little one’s safety is in your hands. Are you ready?Imagine how you will feel if your grandchild gets hurt while visiting. Don’t let it happen. Inspect your home and eliminate all safety hazards now.
Traveling with your grandchild by car is more dangerous than you think. Take special precautions to keep your little one safe.A lot has changed since you drove your kids around. Today, buying and installing a child safety seat almost takes an engineering degree. Get help here.
Your child has primary responsibility for your grandchild’s healthcare. But you play an important supporting role.The more time your grandchild spends with you, the more you need to know about today’s child healthcare practices. Start learning now.
Caring for your grandchild is rewarding. But make sure to set limits.Most grandparents enjoy caring for a grandchild while parents work. It’s a rare opportunity to build strong bonds with the next generation—and to have fun. Just make sure it works with your current lifestyle and future plans.
If your child is unable to care for your grandchild, you may need to take over. Don’t worry . . . you’re not alone.Raising a grandchild is the ultimate act of self-sacrifice. Say goodbye to retirement dreams of travel and leisure. But say hello to the rewards of love and commitment.
A lesson grandparents often learn the hard way: Love has its limits.When your grandchild visits, it’s important to set limits—on behavior, snacks, and gifts. And don’t forget that you have your limits, too (of time, money, and energy).
It’s natural to want to help your grandchild financially. Just make sure whatever you do is consistent with your financial goals and constraints.There are many options for gift giving and a variety of tax benefits available. Whatever you do, do what makes sense for your grandchild—and what makes sense for your current and future financial needs.
Nothings warms a grandparent’s heart more than giving grandchildren gifts. But don’t let it burn your bank account.Giving gifts comes naturally to grandparents. Still, don’t feel you have to always give toys or spend a lot of money. Remember, it’s the thought—and the memories—that count.
Giving gifts to your grandchildren while you’re alive is important. But also think about what to leave them when you’re gone.Providing money and other financial assets can open doors for your grandchildren later in life. To do this, make sure to update your will after a grandchild is born (or have one drawn up). And consider the advantages of life insurance.
College is an expensive proposition these days. The good news: You can help your grandchildren by contributing to their college fund or by paying their tuition.Many grandparents gladly help their grandchildren with college finances. But be sure to consider all of your options before writing your first check.
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