"Provides guidance to the millions of grandparents who raise their grandchildren because addiction, mental health problems, incarceration, or immaturity leave the birth parents unfit. Offers insights from experts and grandparents about the new family dynamics; difficult birth parents; legal, financial, and medical issues; school and social challenges; and self-care"--

Introduction: You're a grandfamily now -- Ready or not, you're raising your grandchildren. A family reinvented: who grandfamilies are-- and how we got here ; From shock to joy-- and everything in between ; Let's get real: strategies for dealing with the middle generation -- Adjusting to the new normal. "Why aren't my birth parents raising me?" ; Responding to problem behaviors ; Challenges at school-- and where to find help -- Legal and financial resources: using them to your grandfamily's advantage. Child custody issues ; Grandfamily finance -- Healthy in body and mind. Understanding children's behavioral disorders and mental health ; Raising a healthy child ; Staying healthy yourself -- Conclusion: When you are the best alternative