Navigating the Experiences of Grandparents raising Grandchildren in Sutnga, East Jaintia hills, Meghalaya

This exploratory study aimed to investigate 30 grandparents ‘ages, varying from 45 to 75 years, experiences providing primary care for their grandchildren. Open-ended questions were used in focus groups and interviews to acquire qualitative data. It was found that most of the grandparents involved in raising and caring for grandchildren due to the parents of grandchildren working (87%), 7 of the children’s parents passed away, 3 of the children were abandoned by their parents, and 3 of the children’s parents were unable to support them. The study revealed intriguing findings, whereby grandparents shared more suitable rather than unpleasant experiences. Rather than seeing being carers as a burden, grandparents expressed how their role in providing care has not just improved their mental health but also brought them joy, happiness, and pleasure, offering a reassuring and hopeful perspective on the challenges of caregiving. Many mentioned how their deep relationships with and affection for their grandchildren enhanced their sense of purpose and happiness in life.

Conflict resolution and relationship building are crucial to preserving positive grandparent-grandchild interactions (Davis, 2017). It is also imperative to establish opportunities for grandparents to enhance their quality of life by acknowledging and addressing the issues they experience, including financial hardship, emotional stress, and physical demands. This underscores the need for robust support systems for these unsung heroes, and your support is crucial in this endeavor.