Kinship Navigator Corner assists grandparents in locating resources, parenting information

Submitted by Nancy Boyd

Kinship Navigator

There are unique parenting challenges for grandparents raising grandchildren in different age groups. Caregivers of children ages five years and younger are faced with providing twenty four hour care that requires substantial time and energy. Children in this age group experience periods of disrupted sleep, increasing mobility and defiance (the “terrible twos”), along with increased bossy behaviors (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2014).

Children between the ages of 6 and 11 gain independence and develop increased reasoning skills and improved self-control. However, parenting grandparents must also deal with the child pushing boundaries and challenging family rules. Grandparents parenting teens are faced with the physical changes and emotional zigzags of teen hormones.

When you consider that most all kinship children are with a relative because the biological parents were unable to care for them, then you have additional trauma the child and the relative must process.

Grandparents are more likely to have more health issues, less energy and may need to find help in the community for information, referral or advocacy to promote stability in the family.

Virginia has six Kinship Navigator Programs with someone available to assist you in locating resources such as parenting information, education and support as well as referral to financial and medical or legal resources in the community.In the communities of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Scott, Wise, Russell, Tazewell and the city of Norton, you can reach out to a Kinship Navigator by calling 276/926-7169.

It has been a stressful year with the Covid restrictions and sometimes a friendly voice goes a long way. Reach out today and see what may be helpful for you.