More grandparents parenting for a second time

IDAHO FALLS (AP) - Ami and Jamie Faust of Idaho Falls thought their days of parenting were nearly over. With only teenage children left at home, they were on the verge of becoming empty nesters.

But, in the fall, the Fausts became the temporary guardians of their 5-year-old grandson, Alex, and it will likely become a permanent situation.

"It's kind of different. You think you've got your own kids grown, and then you find yourself with a little one again," Ami Faust said.

The Fausts are not unique. In fact, they are among a growing number of families in eastern Idaho caring for the child of a relative, said Emily Hoyt, information director for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Idaho Falls. Currently, 120 Idaho Falls families are caring for a grandchild or another child of a relative.

Idaho is the third-fastest growing state nationwide in terms of the numbers of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Hoyt said the numbers continue to increase, particularly the category of grandparents 60 and younger.

The program, which operates as part of the state Health and Welfare Department's Area Agency on Aging, has for the past 10 years assisted families like the Fausts with financial, emotional and educational support. The program also helps families connect with others in similar situations.

"This is an issue that hits every culture, every economic background," Hoyt said.

Recently, the program received a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant from the city. The money, Hoyt said, will be used to assist grandparents younger than 55 with Legal Aid expenses.

Legal services are often costly for families as they try to gain formal guardianship of a child, particularly if the request for guardianship is contested by the child's parent.

Along with the legal services, the grandparents program offers educational workshops, monthly meetings and annual social activities.

Hoyt said it is the program's goal to reach out to more families.

Faust said she's thankful for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, which has helped with legal services and in getting Alex registered with Medicaid and into counseling.

It has also helped them adjust at home.

With older teenagers, the Fausts had become accustomed to having a flexible schedule. They could go out when they wanted and didn't have to worry about driving children here and there.

Now, it's back to coordinating schedules for day-care pick-ups and drop-offs and enforcing bedtimes, and if they want to go out, they have to secure a baby sitter.

Despite the change, the Fausts said they are glad to be able to provide Alex a loving and stable home.

"I couldn't put him in foster care," Ami Faust said. "I do it for Alex."