SAN ANTONIO – For many San Antonio seniors, the call that changes their lives forever comes in the middle of the night. There is no time for preparation or planning; in an instant, retirees find themselves trading the quiet of their golden years for the 24/7 responsibility of raising grandchildren. It is a sudden, often overwhelming shift that Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (TXGRG) is moving to address as the number of “grandfamilies” in the region continues to climb.
Executive Director Mercedes Bristol explained that the organization served more than 1,300 families in the last year alone. She noted that these families often face unique challenges because the transition to caregiving is frequently sudden, occurring “in the middle of the night” without the preparation typical of traditional parenting.
“Grandfamilies come because they don’t know where else to turn,” Bristol said.
Support Systems and Community
The organization currently hosts 13 support groups throughout San Antonio. A primary focus of upcoming sessions is “The Five Love Languages,” a curriculum designed to help caregivers better connect with children of different ages and temperaments. Bristol shared a personal example, noting how understanding her grandson’s need for physical touch and her teenage granddaughter’s need for verbal reassurance has improved their family dynamic.
Beth Brown, the organization’s operations manager, emphasized that the core mission is combating the isolation many caregivers feel.
“Often times these grandparents will call us and say, ‘I thought I was all alone,'” Brown said.
Innovative Therapies and Future Planning
To bridge generational gaps, TXGRG has implemented equine therapy programs. Brown explained that horses serve as “real-time indicators” of family stress or joy, helping grandparents and grandchildren uncover deep-seated issues and strengthen their bonds.
The organization is also preparing for its Healthy Grand Families Conference in April. The event will address sensitive “hard conversations,” including…
Estate Planning: Determining who will care for children if a grandparent passes away.Special Needs Education: Providing tools for caregivers raising children with disabilities.College Preparation: Helping seniors navigate the modern path to higher education.Public Support and Resources
The programs are supported by the City of San Antonio, Bexar County’s Project’s Heart Gallery, and the San Antonio Area Foundation.
Bristol’s primary advice to those in this position is to overcome the “shame” or internal struggles often associated with kinship care.
“Don’t stay in your head,” she urged. “Look for people that are in the same arena that you are in.”
Caregivers seeking assistance or individuals looking to volunteer can connect with the organization through its website at www.txgrg.com or via its social media platforms.