Grandparents raising grandchildren

Just wondering how many grg are out there going through this, trying to get healthy and thinner to keep up with the youngsters! We have two grandsons that we adopted 9+ years ago. We've had the older one 11 3/4 years and the younger one 11 years. They are our son's boys and are now 11 and 13. What a 'trip' it was to have two in diapers, an infant and a toddler to keep up with along with all the legal hassle and worries connected with it all!

Cathy, My name is Dana. Patti ,my wife, and I recently was granted custody of our 4 year old grandson. WOW, I cannot keep up with this boy. I am scheduled for wls on 5 december and my wife will also be scheduled within the next couple of months maby once I lose some weight I can keep up with our grandson.

Dana, have been thinking about you. I had my surgery on Dec 5 as well and am doing great. Just wondering how you have done. I know that keeping up with a 4 year old, especially a little boy, is a feat in itself! I am thankful that our two are well passed that age and are able to do for themselves for the most part. They are such a blessing and at times I miss them being little. They will be 13 and 14 in March. Cathy

OOPS! I meant to say they will be 12 and 14 in March. Cathy

Hi Cathy. I have 2 grandsons and I am amazed at how much energy it takes just to babysit them from time to time for their parents! They are 4 and 8. My DH and I do a lot of tag teaming...or is it divide and conquer? Anyway, I will take one of them and my DH will take the other one, and then we'll play. After awhile, we switch off. By the time their parents come to get them, we are pooped! I really don't know how you do it, but I think it takes special people to take on the care and responsibility of raising another generation of children. I wish you well. Peg

Thank you, Peg, for your well wishes. Taking the boys at newborn and 2 years old has taken a toll on my health but wouldn't have done a thing differently. Their my son and his wife are still together but even at 37 and 34 they still can't manage to just take care of themselves as they should. It is so sad to know what they missed out on, and I think the only real regret I have is that I won't ever get to be just a grandma...we have to be the parents, the heavy, etc. But I just thank God we were able to do it and give the boys the life they deserve. Cathy

Hi Cathy. Nice to hear from you. I just finished reading the responses to your original post. Sounds like there are several of you who are raising grandchildren as your own children. Tough job, but thank God you all have decided to do this. I applaud you. How are you feeling since your surgery? It is coming up on one month. Are you getting your energy back from the surgery? I'll be thinking of you, Cathy. God bless. Peg

Hello I have had my sons baby since he was 3 weeks old he is almost 5 years and his mother has just recently wanting him full time she has never bothered with him before...... friggin sucks I am so scared of losing him His mother is abusive has been brought by abusers , druggy achoholics who are not law abiding citizens

Michelle, do you have legal custody or guardianship of him? You know, if she hasn't bothered with him before, you could charge her with abandonment and get custody. Let me know how it is going and I'll give you some places on the internet to go for advice. Cathy

My husband and I have been raising our grandson since he was 3. He will be 5 in March. We go for custody Jan 10th. I am so grateful that I had the WLS just so I can keep up with him. He is a joy. His mother pops in occassionaly but doesn't seem to have a clue what she is missing. We prayer some day she will get straight and do right by him. I agree the legal hassles are a pain.