Dear mums ‘have fun with your kids and don’t sweat the small stuff!’
Grandparents Group member Julie said the group provides invaluable support and friendship while she raises her eldest grandson
Listening, deep breathing, and an abundance of patience are essentials when raising children. As Mother’s Day approaches this weekend, members of the Marymead CatholicCare Grandparents Group offer these words of wisdom.
“Listen, listen, listen,” group member Julie urged.
“My three grandchildren are all on the autistic spectrum, and the greatest insights into supporting them come through the little things they say.”
The Grandparents Group supports grandparents who are the primary carers of their grandchildren in the ACT and surrounding region.
Client Pathways Officer and group facilitator Annie Rogers said the group provided social connections, information, advocacy, and referral pathways, as well as a safe space for grandparents to share their lived experiences of caring for their grandchildren.
“The grandparents in this group have made some huge sacrifices to enable them to care for their grandchildren,” she explained.
“Despite the many factors that have led to the grandchildren being in their care, the number one priority for these grandparents is to ensure their grandchildren are safe and cared for. They do this wholeheartedly without expecting recognition or gratitude.”
When Julie’s eldest grandson experienced an acute psychotic break, he was hospitalised and then sent home without ongoing support for his family.
“With a new baby in the home, the situation was unmanageable, and we decided to take on care of our grandson,” she said.
“The encouragement comes through contributing to nurturing all three of our beautiful grandchildren.”
Julie said she found the group uplifting, as members shared various challenges in raising grandchildren.
“The group is a safe place – supportive and encouraging,” she said.
Dianne and Richard are happy they can provide a safe home for two of their grandchildren
Fellow members Dianne and Richard, who are the primary carers for two of their four grandchildren, agreed.
“It has been such a wonderful group – they are very generous to all the grandparents and give lots of support,” Dianne said.
“We love all four grandchildren and are very involved with all their activities. We love keeping the two children who live with us safe.”
Annie said the Grandparents Group offered a safe and supportive environment for members to discuss their struggles and triumphs.
“They receive peer support from other grandparents, many of whom are at different parts along the journey of caring for their grandchildren,” she said.
“The group also provides guest speakers who provide the grandparents with skills and knowledge to help support them in their caring role.”
Annie said the Grandparents Group facilitators were involved in a national advocacy group campaigning for recognition and support for informal kinship carers.
“The social and emotional support grandparents receive from their peers normalises their experiences and reduces isolation,” she said.
“Informal carers often don’t meet requirements for services. The wisdom participants share of navigating the service sector and the challenges of transitioning from their grandparent role to primary caregiver provides assurance that support is available for them.”
As families around Australia prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday, Annie had one more message to share with mums of the Archdiocese:
“Being a Mum is the greatest privilege on Earth! Laugh and have fun with your kids and don’t sweat the small stuff!”