Grandparent Rights

My First Grandson

How many of you have grandparents that have played an important role in your life? Were they there when you needed them? According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, there are over 29 thousand children in Idaho alone who are being raised by their grandparents. I am one of those grandparents. On November 21s, 2004 Destin Hardy was born and this is when the bond of grandparents and grandchild began. Destin was 12 months old when his parents decided to move to Washington. It was so hard for me to let him go. I knew however that anytime I wanted to see him I was able to.
It was in 2006 when my grandson and my son came down for a visit, they ended up staying with us on a permanent basis. My son was 20 years old and was just getting back on his feet, so I suggested that Destin stay with us until my son had a stable environment for him to go to. I at this time didn’t know the big effect this would have on my life. Another kid was all I could think about. I wasn’t worried I wouldn’t be able to do it, as I have raised four children of my own. I was actually worried about how to do it. Raising a child in today’s world is more difficult than when I was raising my children. Being a grandma and being a mother are two different things. I wanted to spoil him rotten. And as we all know once spoiled, always spoiled. So life began with a spoiled baby.
It didn’t take to long for me to change to the mother mode though. My parental instinct took over and all of the skills I had used before came back to me. Destin was so active at this age. He loved the water and playing ball. I think his favorite thing to do was to jump on the trampoline or was it riding the lawn mower with “my wavier” (Xavier), as he called him. Even at night time he would want to read or color. I placed him in preschool at the age of three and watched him grow with knowledge. I can remember that every day I dropped him off; he would take my hand and show me the parakeets and the big parrot. He had to make sure they knew he was there. While attending preschool, Destin began reading at a higher level than expected. He was five and graduated with a preschool graduation diploma with special recognitions “Outstanding Learner”. This was a proud day in grandma’s life. Guiding Destin and talking to him as if he was a mature child helped with his language skills and communication skills. He is a very intelligent young man and knows more than an average child should know at his age.
At the age 6 1/2 Destin decided that he wanted to get involved with football like his uncles. I thought about this long and hard deciding that it wasn’t in his best interest. I then decided that Tai Kwon Do would be better for him. He could use a little more self-discipline and balance skills. What a great idea.
Destin’s accomplishments have been great. In one year he graduated 4 belts and received his green belt one month ago.
From the day that Destin was born, to watching him turn into a little man. Destin has brought a great joy to my life. I would never take back a minute of sharing his life with him. I wonder what the future holds for my grandson. I know that with the right guidance and love he will go on to accomplish great things and one day be a great leader and mentor to his children and grandchildren.

Bibliography http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/EarlyChildhoodInfo/ActiveParenting/tabid/161/ctl/ArticleView/mid/1373/articleId/583/Grandparents-Raising (U.S Census Bureau, 2005-2009)

Bibliography: http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Children/EarlyChildhoodInfo/ActiveParenting/tabid/161/ctl/ArticleView/mid/1373/articleId/583/Grandparents-Raising (U.S Census Bureau, 2005-2009)