How will you be celebrating grandparents day Sunday?
When the word grandparent comes to mind, we may think of stereotypical images of those planning for retirement, vacationing with their loved ones, or babysitting their grandchildren.
We may remember our grandmother or grandfather looking after us when our parents were working or helping us through university or always making our favourite food.
Parent Support Services Society of B.C. wants to shine a special light on the grandparents who are the full time parents of their grandchildren. They are B.C.'s invisible foster care system, and heroes to more than 10,000 children in our province.
We know their days are overflowing with additional, unexpected responsibilities, and that they may not often get to feel like a regular grandparent. They don't get to send the grandkids home after a nice little visit. They are on call 24/7. Priorities for these grandparents have had to shift in order to provide the best care possible for their grandchildren. That comes with sacrifice, hard work and lots of love to share.
Let's celebrate by recognizing all grandparents, whatever their role and wherever they may be. Grandparents' day is:
For every grandparent who shares time, wisdom, energy and love with grandchildren and great grandchildren;
For every grandparent who willingly provides child care while their adult children go to work;
For every grandparent who spends precious savings making sure their grandchildren have a better life;
For every grandparent who doesn't get to see their grandchildren and misses them dearly;
For every grandparent who is raising their grandchildren 24 hours a day, seven days a week, month after month, year after year.
On behalf of the staff at Parent Support Services Society of B.C.
Carol Ross executive director; Tory Scholz GRG co-ordinator
