GO

Grandparents Bulletin Board

View Response

Return
"UNsenior" grandparents Leanne Jul 14, 2010
Has anyone else found it difficult to find information or assistance for us young grandparents who have full time care of their grandchildren. I''m a 37yr old grandmother and have had my little princess grand daughter in my care since she was 1 month old (she''s 14months old now). Everywhere I look online for support/assistance/more info refers to older grandparents. Even some of the centrelink benefits apply only to the older grandparents. Some other states seem to have organisations which recognise us younger grandparents, is there anything in Queensland?
Records Per Page:
Page 1 of 1First   Previous   Next   Last   
Kerry    Aug 24, 2010
Re:
Yes it is very frustrating. We are mid 40''s and both work full time and have our 3 year old grandson in our care and have had him with us since he was 4 months old. It is like we just aren''t as important as the older grandparents(no disrepect to them). Plus our work commitments meant we couldn''t attend their meetings as they were all held during business hours. With regards to Centerlink benefits we feel totally discriminated against when it comes to Child Care as we have to pay about 50% of our costs, yet if we were on an old age pension or we could get it for free if one of us wasn''t working, which isn''t an option for us as we are paying off our house, plus if one of us wasn''t working then there would be no need for child care. It just doesn''t make sense as we are as valuable to society as the older grandparents are. Maybe we need to form a group to lobby the government for equal rights.
Gillian    Nov 24, 2010
Re:
Hi I understand your frustration. I am a 46 year old grandma raising a 61/2 year old grandaugter. I have had her since she was born. I have had to fight centrelink for ages to get a single parent pension, childcare etc. Finally have it but now they tell me i have to go to work next year when she turns 7. I am a single grandma and she is a high needs adhd child. I was working, but when she started school things fell to bits, she doesn''t cope with school and then to come home after work try and fit homework, sports commitments and extra school things in was a nightmare. The time for grandparents people are great. I rand up by chance and they have helped me more than anyone. Paying for sports, ballet, gymnastics, swimming etc. They have a great data base and they don''t care if you are not a senior, so long as you are raising your grandchild. There is a support group down the gold coast at Paradise Kids, they are really nice and helpful, it''s just a long way to travel. Good luck.
  




Reset  Submit