The Extra Parent: How Grandparents Are Helping Out, Pitching In, and Raising Their Grandchildren

This groundbreaking book of true stories about grandparents and parents pulls no punches. Ten grandparents--41 to 82, black, white, Asian, and Hispanic, working and retired, healthy and ill, rich and poor--talk about their triumphs and despair. LIN leaves Taiwan to become the nanny to his granddaughters in America. JUDY contends with angry step-grandkids who hate her daughter. KEISHA, ex-prostitute and drug addict, enrolls in college and raises four grandkids. Each grandparent offers SMART TIPS about long distance grandparenting, helping out during a bitter divorce, and working together as team players. The wisdom grandparents pass on provides compelling opportunities for family discussions and dramatic material for professional workshops. "The Extra Parent is a collection of poignant and powerful accounts of the special bonds between grandparents and grandchildren. It helps us to understand the strength of these connections as well as the hardships that intergenerational families endure." --Deborah Langosch, ACSW New York City Kincare Task Force "Denholtz's portraits drive home the uniqueness of grandparental love--unconditional and healing. It's about time that grandparents and their indefatigable spirit were recognized as a great American resource." --Gerard Wallace, Esq. Grandparents Caregiver Law Center "A great resource for workshop facilitators and for those leading grandparenting support groups. Provides a great kick-off for many areas of discussion." --Reuben D. Rotman, Jewish Family Services of MetroWest "Denholtz reveals the hearts of grandparents from every strata of society. Their dedication, commitment, and sacrifices inspire us and deserve our admiration." --Brigitte Castellano, National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights