The Skipped Generation Household:Grandparents Raise All Over Again

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By Rachel Derry
Staff Writer LIFamilies

In many households today, the empty nest is being filled in one of two ways; grown children are moving back home because of the economy or elderly parents are moving in for care and assistance. In my household, we've already had both! But there is a newer trend, indicated the 2009 census, of near empty house holds being filled.with grandchildren.

Recent data shows that approximately 3.1 million children under the age of 18 in the United States live in a household without their parents. Of that number, 59% of the children live with their grandparents. These households are called "Skipped Generation" households.

In the past usually children lived with their grandparents due to drug abuse, death, mental or physical medical issues, or difficult divorces. In our current state, the numbers are on the rise due to the recession and military deployment.

The baby boomer generation does have a plus side, as they take in their grandchildren; they are a much younger generation of grandparents doing so. The 2009 census showed that 67% of grandparents taking in their grandchildren were under the age of 60, and 13% were younger still, under the age of 45. As these young grandparents started moving forward, to have more travel or "me" time, they found themselves starting all over age with young children.

As the number of these skipped generation households continue to grow in common place, it only goes to show the strength and resilience that there is in the bonds of family love. They show that there will never be a distinct picture of what a family "should" look like. Many celebrities are proud to say that they were raised by their grandparents in a "skipped generation" household; 50cent, Carol Burnett, Jack Nicholson, and Jamie Foxx are just a few.

Long Island Family Life & Parenting Articles > The Skipped Generation Household:Grandparents Raise All Over Again