Episode 26: Elisabeth Schulz - Grandparents Raising GRandchildren
Golden Nuggets from Elisabeth
· Not all family crisis cases come through CPS
· People can seem “nosey” for good or bad reasons so develop your “stock” answer for their questions so that you will not be caught off guard and frustrated.
· Grandparents Raiding Grandchildren (GRG) can be a very FRAGILE situation coming out of precipitating events that are usually not good.
· Often GRG can come from a very short notice such as “if you can’t take these kids, they will go into foster care.”
· It usually starts as temporary with reunification as the goal
· Often busyness can put GRG on auto-pilot every day
· Knowledge of the system is power. Learn all that you can!
· Give yourself the grace to grow and learn…together with your spouse.
· Discuss “How are we going to let this affect our marriage?”
· Imperative to learn to navigate all the new emotions that come with GRG.
· Find an outlet! And give yourself permission!!!
· Seek outside resources and help such as:
1. Kinship Care
4. Kinship navigator program in your state
5. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support groups
· Ask lots of questions to decide which choice could work best for you.
· “Often you know that it is God speaking to you when what you hear is not what you would be saying” John Eldridge
· To serve a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) family, just show up with small random acts of kindness like:
1. Offer babysitting
2. Pull a GRG family close
3. Send coffee cake etc!
4. Invite them …hug them
5. Send gift cards
6. Show up with stuff:
7. Other random thoughtful acts!!
· Other things that Elizabeth has learned:
1. Don’t live so busy in the small stuff, think of the bigger picture!
2. Live with more intentionality and discernment
3. Get off the performance treadmill!
4. Give more grace for all involved!
5. Tell your inner “control freak” to CALM DOWN
6. Worry less…pray more….no comparison!
7. Get involved with the kid’s school!
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*The Hidden Jewels Podcast is produced by Owen Atkinson
