Grandparents raising grandchildren : rights and responsibilities

Most of us eventually become grandparents. Throughout history, grandparents and other relatives have raised children, but more are caring for them now than ever before. The idealized picture of the two-parent family may not reflect today 's families.

From 1980 to 1990 there was a 44 percent increase in the number of children living with their grandparents. Just under 5.5 million, or almost 8 percent of all children are living with their grandparents. Over one-third of them are being raised solely by a grandparent.