They thought they'd be retiring. Instead, they're grandparenting full time.
A growing number of American grandparents are returning to full-time parenting roles due to family crises such as death, addiction, or health issues. These individuals often face significant financial and emotional strain while raising grandchildren during their expected retirement years.
Why it matters
It sheds light on an overlooked demographic shift that impacts social safety nets and the economic stability of older adults.
Vicki and Sal Parisella are raising two of their granddaughters in Lakeland, Florida. Octavio Jones for BI It's not the way they thought they'd be spending their older years : getting two tweens ready for school and scraping together meals from food banks. At the crack of dawn one Tuesday morning, 59-year-old Vicki Parisella bangs on her granddaughters' bedroom doors. Silence from Myaliissa's room; a whine from Tatiana's. Minutes later, Tatiana drags her backpack into the living room. "Your shirt's on backward," Vicki tells the 11-year-old. As if Vicki flipped an on-switch, Tatiana zooms around the living room while Vicki's husband, Sal, packs their lunches. Vicki braids Tatiana's hair and helps her put on her shoes as Myaliissa, 13, gets dressed. By 7:20, Vicki already has a headache.
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