Most of us eventually become grandparents (94%) at some point in our lives (Hooyman & Kiyak, 1996). Throughout history, grandparents and other relatives have raised grandchildren, but more grandparents (and other kin) are caring for them than ever before. The idealized picture of the two-parent family may not reflect families of today.

From 1980 to 1990 there was a 44% increase in the number of children living with grandparents. Nearly five and a half (5.4) million, or just under 8% of all children, live with their grandparents. Over 1/3 of them are being raised solely by a grandparent. Five percent of Virginia's households have families providing kinship care, a 16.5% increase from 1980.