Grandparents raising Grandchildren

WOW, over the last few weeks our eyes have been opened to some crazy numbers!
A stat commonly published, with regard to children in NZ, is that there are about 5,700 kids under state care (Oranga Tamariki) BUT…
Did you know that there are about 17,000 grandchildren being raised full time by just over 9,000 grandparents!?
One of the common reasons given for grandparents (sometimes even great-grandparents) having to step up and take over the care of their grandchildren is the use of P (crystal meth). Violence, alcohol and illness are also common reasons.
Today we really want to celebrate these amazing grandparents who are working so hard to value their grandchildren at a time where many are ready to slow down.
We met the lovely lady in this clip at a food bank. It was heartbreaking to hear her struggles as she was genuinely doing all she could to ensure the kids in her care could have the best possible life. As with many grandparents this often involves court costs. In this case a $7000 invoice and that’s just the start.
Today I chatted with Kate Bundle, CE of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust New Zealand (GRG). A trust which was set up specifically to advocate, support and empower the many grandparents and kin carers who truly value and love their grandchildren. Grandparents who recognise the trauma the kids have already been through and would do whatever it takes to provide them the love and stability they need. Part of the struggle for many grandparents is that our current system is not set up in a way that recognises these high stats, making it hard for grandparents to access support for the children in their care.
So firstly, if you are a grandparent or extended family member muddling your way through the system but you do it regardless because of your unrelenting love for the children – we want to say we see you. We are sure it is often a thankless job – but we take this moment to publicly thank you.
Second of all, I reckon these numbers need to be represented in our official stats with Oranga Tamariki, or Ministry of Social Development. Who do we need to call for that!?

Thank you to Grandparents raising Grandchildren

WOW, over the last few weeks our eyes have been opened to some crazy numbers!A stat commonly published, with regard to children in NZ, is that there are about 5,700 kids under state care (Oranga Tamariki) BUT…Did you know that there are about 17,000 grandchildren being raised full time by just over 9,000 grandparents!?One of the common reasons given for grandparents (sometimes even great grandparents) having to step up and take over the care of their grandchildren is the use of P (crystal meth). Violence, alcohol and illness are also common reasons. Today we really want to celebrate these amazing grandparents who are working so hard to value their grandchildren at a time where many are ready to slow down. We met the lovely lady in this clip at a food bank. It was heartbreaking to hear her struggles as she was genuinely doing all she could to ensure the kids in her care could have the best possible life. As with many grandparents this often involves court costs. In this case a $7000 invoice and thats just the start. Today I chatted with Kate Bundle, CE of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust New Zealand (GRG). A trust which was set up specifically to advocate, support and empower the many grandparents and kin carers who truly value and love their grandchildren. Grandparents who recognise the trauma the kids have already been through and would do whatever it takes to provide them the love and stability they need. Part of the struggle for many grandparents is that our current system is not set up in a way that recognises these high stats, making it hard for grandparents to access support for the children in their care. So firstly, if you are a grandparent or extended family member muddling your way through the system but you do it regardless because of your unrelenting love for the children – we want to say we see you. We are sure it is often a thankless job – but we take this moment to publicly thank you. Second of all, I reckon these numbers need to be represented in our official stats with Oranga Tamariki, or Ministry of Social Development. Who do we need to call for that!? 😉 #stopthebusnz #stoptheAbusE #GRG #GrandparentsraisingGrandchildren

Posted by Stop the Bus on Sunday, February 18, 2018