“Grandparents who step in and care for their grandchildren are doing amazing work. It’s vital they assume these responsibilities when the need arises, and they should all be commended given the challenges they have.” About 2% of U.S. children — 2.9 million — are being raised by their grandparents.

Is it bad to let your child sleep in your bed?

Co-sleeping is a controversial issue: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says parents should never let their baby sleep in the bed with them—citing the risk of suffocation, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other sleep-related deaths.

What percent of grandparents live with their grandchildren?

Approximately 5 to 6 percent of grandchildren and 10 percent of grandparents live in grandparent-grandchild households at any given time. While these percentages are low and steady, in the context of a growing youth population they represent growing total numbers.

At what age should a child stop sleeping with parent?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) takes a strong stance against co-sleeping with children under age 1. The AAP does recommend room sharing for the first 6 months of a child’s life, though, as this safe practice can greatly reduce the risk of SIDS.

It’s becoming increasingly common for grandparents to play the role of primary caregiver to their grandchildren as their parents struggle with substance addiction. According to Generations United, approximately 2.6 million children in the United States are being raised by their grandparents.

Can a parent of a grandchild be in jail?

However, a grandchild’s parent is still their parent- regardless of their addiction. A grandchild’s parent may be in jail, in treatment, or in denial of their illness at any given moment, but that doesn’t mean an addicted parent can’t recover in the future and rekindle a relationship with their child.

Can a grandchild have a relationship with alcohol?

In these cases, the only relationship that the grandchild has with drugs or alcohol is a destructive one. As the primary caregiver, it becomes a grandparents responsibility to show their grandchild that it is possible to have a healthy relationship with drugs and alcohol.