Looking for the Helpers:
Grandparents on the Front Lines
Becoming Papa Jamie: Navigating Grandparenthood in My 30s
April 22, 2025
Quiet heroes
responding to crisis
with courage and love.
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
— Fred Rogers’ mother
That quote has been on my heart lately. And when I look around, one group of helpers stands out in a powerful way: grandparents who have stepped in to raise their grandchildren.
There are millions of them across the country—quiet heroes responding to crisis with courage and love.
Many are doing this because of the opioid epidemic, which hasn’t taken a pause even in the face of a global pandemic. These grandparents have become the safety net, the steady hand, the warm hug at the end of a hard day. They’re keeping children safe when the world around them feels anything but.
But it’s not easy.
They’re going broke trying to stretch fixed incomes to feed growing kids. They’re navigating school systems, medical needs, and trauma—all while trying to help their grandchildren feel less abandoned, more grounded, and deeply loved.
So here’s a challenge:
If you know a grandparent in this situation, please—reach out. A kind word, a hot meal, a gift card, or even just the offer of your time can go a long way. They may not ask for help, but they certainly deserve it.
To these grandparents—we see you. You are the very definition of caring. You are the helpers.
Thank you for being Caring Grandparents.
Brave. Loving. Unshakable.
Want to Help? Explore These Resources:
- Generations United – Grandfamilies Support
- AARP – Grandparenting Resource Center
- The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network
(Feel free to comment your own local or national support links.)
