There are 2.5 million grandparents raising grandkids in the U.S. To give some perspective, that’s enough people to fill 263 Polar Park stadiums. In fact, the number of grandparents raising their grandkids in Massachusetts has increased by 30 percent over the last decade (U.S. Census Bureau).

That being said, grandparents raising grandkids is not a new phenomenon and is actually a typical part of many cultures. The recent rise in these multigenerational situations may be due to other factors, though.

One of the reasons more grandparents are taking on this role is due to increases in life expectancy. This not only means that grandparents are more likely to be alive to see their grandkids grow up, but also that they may be needed to help care for them for a longer period of time.

Another reason for the rise in grandparents raising grandkids is the COVID-19 pandemic. With parents feeling the impact of the pandemic physically, emotionally, and professionally, the caregiving role is often split or fully reliant on a grandparent. This leaves grandparents in a difficult situation as they try to adapt to things like online learning and juggling multiple schedules. Older adults may also not be physically or mentally prepared to take on the caregiving role again after raising their own children.

There can be a power struggle between the grandparents and the parents of the grandkids. Grandparents may feel like they know better than the parents, or that they should be the ones making decisions about the children. However, it’s important to try to respect the parents’ wishes and to work together for the best interests of the grandkids. Tensions such as this can grow when things like custody and guardianship come into play, not to mention discussions about covering the cost of raising kids, especially during inflation.

Additionally, many older adults are on fixed incomes and may not have the financial resources to support their grandkids. With most grandparents raising grandkids informally or outside the foster care system, financial support can feel tough to come by. This is especially true for BIPOC elders and communities.

Grandparents may also face a unique situation when their new role is because of their adult child’s struggles. As seen through the opioid epidemic and the rise in mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, grandparents may be raising their grandkids while simultaneously trying to support their adult children. This can put a strain on relationships and have serious impacts on overall community well-being. If one person is struggling, we are all struggling.