By Bigboy Madzivanzira
As more parents migrate for work, grandparents are increasingly taking on caregiving roles. While their love and support are invaluable, there are challenges to consider.
– Different Discipline Styles: Grandparents may spoil or be more lenient, potentially leading to behavioral issues.
– Outdated Values: Grandparents’ values and cultural norms may clash with modern societal expectations.
– Lack of Parental Involvement: Absentee parents can lead to emotional and psychological gaps in a child’s development.
These factors can impact a child’s self-control, decision-making, and overall well-being.
A Common Dynamic
Parents are often quick to blame grandparents when things go wrong. Instead, parents and grandparents need to work together, communicating clearly about expectations and supporting each other.
When Crisis Hits: Finding Balance
When a child goes missing, the priority is clear: bring them home safely. Let’s save the blame game for later. Instead, let’s focus on supporting the family and working together to find the missing child.
Support for Grandparent Caregivers
– Regular parent-grandparent check-ins
– Access to parenting resources and counseling
The Financial Strain
Grandparents often face financial struggles, selling what little they have to make ends meet. Meanwhile, remittances from abroad can be irregular and insufficient, leaving them to bridge the gap. It’s not uncommon for R2000 (about $125) to be the only support arriving after months of waiting.
Grandparents Need Support Too
Let’s not forget grandparents are doing their best with the resources they have. They need patience, understanding, and support. By working together, we can create a stronger support system for the whole family.
About the Author
Bigboy Madzivanzira is a multi-faceted individual with expertise in health promotion, medical rehabilitation, child counselling and development. He is a qualified Family Therapist, Bigboy is a Freelance Journalist accredited by Zimbabwe Media Commission. He has written extensively on public health, disability and social justice. He can be contacted on 0773 367 913 or email him on healthpromotionclinic@gmail.com