Parenting In Later Life Puts Special Demands On Second Timers

Almost three years ago this newspaper helped spawn Second Timers, a support and resource network for older adults who are raising young children.

In May of 1994, correspondent Barbara Dickson reported that millions of American children lived with grandparents or other relatives - still a growing trend, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Children like Dan, a Deer Park 7-year-old whose grandparents adopted him after his own parents abandoned him.

In June of 1994, about 30 people with similar families joined Dan and his grandparents, Karen and Ralph Liguori, at a summertime picnic in Spokane’s Audubon Park.

After a picture and article about the event ran in The Spokesman-Review, Karen Liguori received so many phone calls from other older people with young children that she organized periodic support group meetings. That was the beginning of Second Timers in Spokane. She also started a monthly newsletter, which now goes to about 150 households in the area.

Second Timers are “grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives who have taken on the responsibility of raising children when we thought our (parenting) job was complete,” she writes.

“This is a time when people my age are looking forward to retirement,” says 65-year-old Second Timer Sharon Stowe. “Many older people need to know how to take care of themselves while taking on the additional responsibility of a child.”

Stowe adopted her 13-year-old daughter through the Department of Social Services’ foster adopt program.

During a recent Second Timers meeting in the basement of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Stowe talked with peers about her daughter’s tendency to skip school. She also offered advice to another Second Timer who’s currently going through the adoption process.

“This group is very supportive,” Stowe says. “We talk about legal issues related to adoption and guardianship, and the difficulties and satisfactions of raising kids.”

Children’s Home Society now helps Liguori with some of the logistics of organizing Second Timers. For instance, the organization provides child care during the group meetings. However Liguori still needs help with fund raising and newsletter distribution.

If you can help, or if you would like more information about the meetings and services provided by Second Timers, call 747-4174.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

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