Review by Bertha Jackson -- So, You're Raising Your Gran...

[Bertha Jackson]

[Following is a volunteer review of "So, You're Raising Your Grandkids!" by Harriet Hodgson.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Harriet Hodgson’s So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids! is an excellent and well written resource for not only grandparents who are raising their grandkids but also for all parents and teenagers. This book definitely deserves a star ranking of 4 out of 4. The book is error free and flows smoothly between topics.

After the accidental deaths of their daughter and son-in-law and then her father-in-law and brother due to illness, Harriet Hodgson and her husband became parents of their 15 1/2 year old twin grandchildren. She provides guidance and tips on the different emotions and impacts on their and their grandchildrens’ lives.

In the book she incorporates other reasons for becoming Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) or Grandparents as Parents (GAP) such as lack of parental responsibility, bad choices of parents, military deployment, mental illness or incarceration. Topics involving legal issues, communication, consistency, voice tones, listening, role modeling, emotional and behavioral problems, different forms of grief, health care and insurance concerning all parties involved were discussed and tips provided to help cope with the different problems.

The best thing about this book is how the author relates to all walks and scenarios of life. The reader is able to relate to the events and put her tips to use in their lives. As I was reading the book many times I said to myself this is relevant to regular parents as well as grandparents. The only thing that I disliked about the book was the amount of focus she put on the amount of money and other resources that they were automatically able to provide whereas others may not be so fortunate. To her credit, the author does provide resources for those less fortunate to contact for help. These additional resources are what makes the book applicable to all walks and scenarios in life. At the end of each chapter she provides a list of tips that provide a quick reference for those needing the help that she provides.

I would recommend this book be read by not only grandparents but also parents and their teenage children. It provides some very beneficial insight as to why different generations react the way they do to life events. The author addresses the generational fears, anxieties, cultures, goals and attitudes of all age groups. She goes into a great deal about the sacrifices that must be made by all parties and the rewards received. There are many forms of grief and everyone handles it in their own way. She provides many examples for all of her points.

Anyone who is either having to combine their families to raise their grandchildren due to any circumstances or someone who is dealing with a death in the family will benefit from this book.

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So, You're Raising Your Grandkids!
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