Conference To Focus On Grandparents As Parents

It’s not all carpools and peanut butter for grandparents raising grandchildren in the ‘90s.

An estimated 3 million American children are being raised by their grandparents because their parents are too ill, too young, abusive or addicted to care for them properly.

On May 16 a conference called “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Learning Survival Skills” will be presented at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

Workshop topics range from dealing with adult children’s addictions to gardening with elementary children.

Legal issues, support groups, tips for raising junior high and high school kids and managing your emotions will also be covered.

The conference is sponsored by a coalition of state, county and private agencies.

It’s open to grandparents and professionals.

For more information, call the state Aging and Adult Services Administration at (800) 422-3263 or (360) 493-2559, or the Washington State Grandparents Coalition at (206) 591-6427.