Grandparents who raise their grandchildren recognize the importance of providing a stable home. Part of providing a stable home environment includes having adults whom the child can trust and depend on as he or she grows and develops. If a child is continually being relocated or does not know for sure whom to turn to, then the ability to form healthy long-term relationships may be in jeopardy. If children learn at a young age that no one will be there for them, they may rebel and look for acceptance from others. Often this results in children becoming involved in unhealthy family-like relationships such as gangs.
To learn more about ways to help children establish healthy relationships, consult Helping Grandchildren Create Positive Relationships.