Menopause While Raising Grandchildren: When Nannie Needs Taking Care of, Too

From Nannie's House | Grandparent Health & Wellness

Menopause While Raising Grandchildren: When Nannie Needs Taking Care of, Too

Surviving sepsis, living with a permanent colostomy, navigating menopause, and raising grandchildren while learning how to care for myself again.

By Jen | Nannie & Founder of GrandFamily AI 💜

Two Years Ago, I Wasn't Sure I'd Live Another Year

I want to tell you something personal. In 2024, I honestly wondered whether I would live to see another year.

I had been suffering from chronic diverticulitis. It seemed like a never-ending cycle.

I would start feeling better for a few days, begin hoping the worst was finally behind me, and then the illness would come back.

Sometimes worse than before.

Eventually, my bowel ruptured, and I ended up hospitalized with sepsis.

I was also suffering from fecal incontinence. If you've never experienced losing control of your bowels, it's difficult to explain how deeply it affects your dignity, confidence, and everyday life.

I was depressed.

My world had become smaller and smaller.

I wasn't enjoying life anymore. I was trying to survive each day.

Then came Christmas Eve, 2024.

I was in the emergency room when the doctor told me something I wasn't prepared to hear.

I needed surgery, or I could die.

Those words have a way of changing how you look at everything.

Suddenly, the things you worried about yesterday don't seem nearly as important.

You start thinking about your family. The people you love. The things you haven't done. And whether you're going to have another opportunity to do them.

In April 2025, I underwent major surgery.

I lost seven and a half feet of my large intestine and was left with a permanent colostomy.

My life would never be the same.

But I was still here.

And after everything I'd been through, being here meant something.

Eighteen Months of Recovery Isn't a Lifetime

As I write this in October 2026, it's been approximately eighteen months since my surgery.

Only a year and a half.

Sometimes I need to remind myself of that.

People see me taking my granddaughters to school, shopping for groceries, cooking dinner, managing homework, and keeping our household running.

From the outside, my life might look perfectly ordinary.

What they don't always see is everything happening behind the scenes.

I am permanently disabled.

My colostomy requires ongoing care, medical appointments, and a continuous supply of essential medical products.

I deal with dehydration and intestinal blockages.

Since my surgery, I've made at least four or five trips back to the hospital, including hospital stays, because of blockages.

Those experiences are frightening.

They also remind me that my medical condition is something I need to respect every single day.

My diet has changed.

Foods and eating habits I once took for granted now require more thought.

I have physical limitations, too.

I can no longer carry heavy things because I need to reduce my risk of developing hernias.

And I have to remain aware of symptoms that might signal another medical problem.

Understanding Ostomy Complications

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases identifies intestinal obstructions, dehydration, and stoma-related hernias among possible complications of ostomy surgery.

Risks vary depending on the type of surgery and a person's medical history.

Read the NIDDK guidance on ostomy complications.

Living with a permanent colostomy means learning a different way of taking care of my body.

Some things I once did without thinking now require planning.

And here's where my story becomes even more complicated.

While still recovering from life-changing surgery, I became a full-time caregiver for my two granddaughters.

And did I mention I'm also dealing with menopause?

Because apparently, life decided I needed a few more things on my plate.

Sometimes you have to laugh.

Otherwise, you might spend the entire afternoon crying.

My Granddaughters Were Afraid of Losing Me Before They Ever Came to Live With Me

There is another part of my medical journey that deserves attention.

My granddaughters have experienced the fear of losing me.

And this fear began before they came to live in my home.

They knew Nannie was seriously ill.

My medical problems weren't something that began after I became their full-time caregiver.

They were already part of our family history.

While I was dealing with the possibility of losing my own life, my granddaughters were dealing with the possibility of losing someone they loved.

I think that's important to recognize.

As adults, we're often so focused on surviving an illness that we don't fully recognize how frightening the experience might be for the children who love us.

Children don't need to understand medical terminology to know something serious is happening.

They recognize changes. They hear conversations. They know when someone they love is hospitalized.

And sometimes, they understand enough to become frightened without having enough information to make sense of what's happening.

Sometimes the person a child depends on for safety is also the person they're terrified of losing.

Now that my granddaughters live with me, I have another reason to pay attention to how my health affects our family.

I'm their Nannie.

I'm also one of the adults they depend on for their everyday security.

They rely on me for school transportation, meals, routines, emotional support, and thousands of little things that help children feel safe.

So when I have a medical problem, the impact doesn't necessarily stop with me.

It reaches the people who love and depend on me.

When Children Are Afraid of Losing Another Person They Love

Many children being raised by grandparents have already experienced significant changes in their families.

Some have experienced parental separation, incarceration, addiction, neglect, or instability.

Others have been affected by illness, death, or family conflict.

Every child's experience is different.

But when children have already experienced uncertainty, another possible loss deserves careful attention.

A serious illness involving their grandparent might bring up fears about what happens next.

Who will take care of me?
Will Nannie have to go back to the hospital?
What happens if she doesn't come home?
Will I have to move again?
Who will help me if something happens?

Some children express those worries openly.

Others keep their fears to themselves.

Fear sometimes appears as clinginess, sleep difficulties, separation anxiety, irritability, trouble concentrating, or changes in behavior.

The American Cancer Society describes these responses in its guidance about helping children cope when a loved one is seriously ill.

Although that guidance focuses on cancer, its recommendations about honest communication, routines, and reassurance are useful when discussing other serious illnesses.

Read the American Cancer Society's guidance for supporting children.

How I Want My Granddaughters to Understand My Health

I don't want my girls growing up believing illness is something we should hide.

I also don't want them feeling responsible for keeping me healthy.

My medical conditions are adult responsibilities.

My grandchildren deserve to be children.

They shouldn't feel guilty when I need to rest.

They shouldn't feel responsible for monitoring my symptoms.

And they shouldn't believe their behavior determines whether I get sick.

What I want them to understand is that I have a medical condition, I receive care for that condition, and there are adults who help keep our family safe.

If one of them worries about losing me, I don't want to dismiss the feeling.

I also don't want to make promises about my health that nobody can guarantee.

💜 What I Might Say to My Girls

"I know you've been scared about Nannie's health before. I understand why that was frightening."

"I'm here with you today, and I'm taking care of my health with help from my doctors."

"If I need medical care again, we have people who will help take care of you."

"You don't have to solve any of the grown-up problems."

"Your job is to be a kid. My job is to make sure you're cared for."

Children sometimes need to hear reassurance more than once.

That's okay.

Adults sometimes need reassurance more than once, too.

Menopause Wasn't Exactly Helping

Let's talk about menopause.

Because I know I'm not the only grandmother wondering what happened to her energy, patience, memory, and metabolism.

Some days I'm exhausted.

Other days, my brain seems to have taken an unscheduled vacation.

I'll walk into a room and completely forget why I'm there.

I'll start one task, get interrupted by a child, and forget about the original task until three hours later.

Then there are the emotional changes.

The irritability. The frustration. The sleep difficulties.

And those moments when something small feels much bigger than it should.

What Menopause Might Feel Like

Menopause and the years leading up to it affect women differently.

Hot flashes and night sweats
Difficulty sleeping
Fatigue and low energy
Mood changes and irritability
Problems with concentration or memory
Joint and muscle discomfort
Changes in body composition
Vaginal or urinary symptoms

The National Institutes of Health explains that menopausal symptoms vary considerably between individuals.

Learn more about menopause from the NIH.

Now add a chronic medical condition and the responsibility of raising children.

It becomes difficult to know what's causing what.

Am I tired because I didn't sleep well?

Because of menopause?

Because I'm still recovering from everything my body has experienced?

Because I'm dealing with another medical problem?

Or because I've spent the entire day taking care of everyone else?

Sometimes there isn't one simple answer.

That's why I believe women with existing medical conditions deserve individualized menopause care.

We shouldn't assume every symptom is hormonal.

And we shouldn't dismiss symptoms simply because we have too many responsibilities.

The Menopause Weight Struggle and the 46 Pounds I've Lost

Here's something else I want to share.

Losing weight during menopause has been extremely difficult for me.

Between aging, hormonal changes, my medical history, and physical limitations, managing my weight has been frustrating.

After major abdominal surgery, I couldn't approach exercise the same way I once might have.

My diet changed.

I had to respect restrictions on heavy lifting.

And I was still learning how to manage my health.

But something interesting happened when my granddaughters came to live with me.

46 lbs The weight I've lost since my granddaughters came to live with me.

Forty-six pounds!

I attribute that weight loss to how incredibly busy my life has become.

I'm constantly moving.

Taking children to school. Running errands. Managing the house. Walking. Cleaning. Cooking.

Keeping up with two girls who have completely different schedules and needs.

My days look nothing like they did before.

But I want to be careful about the message here.

I'm sharing my experience, not suggesting that exhausting yourself is a healthy weight-loss strategy.

There's a difference between being active and being so busy that you forget to care for yourself.

With my medical history, proper nutrition, hydration, and physical recovery remain important.

Significant weight changes, especially when accompanied by digestive complications, deserve medical review.

And no matter how much weight I've lost, I still need to respect my physical limitations.

Being busy doesn't make my medical condition disappear.

Depression, Menopause, and the Emotional Weight of Starting Over

I've experienced depression during periods when my physical health was at its worst.

I know what it feels like to wake up and dread another day of being sick.

I know what it feels like when medical problems take over your life.

And I know how difficult it is when the person you used to be feels increasingly distant.

After a major medical event, recovery involves more than healing the body.

There is an emotional adjustment.

You might grieve your former independence.

You might worry about another hospitalization.

You might become frustrated by your physical limitations.

And you might struggle to recognize the person looking back at you in the mirror.

According to the CDC, some sepsis survivors experience ongoing physical and emotional challenges, including fatigue, anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

Read the CDC's guide to recovery after sepsis.

Menopause sometimes adds another layer of emotional difficulty.

Now consider managing those feelings while trying to provide emotional stability for children who have experienced difficult circumstances of their own.

Many grandparents are raising children affected by parental substance use, incarceration, family separation, neglect, or instability.

Some children struggle with anxiety.

Some have trouble in school.

Some have experienced bullying.

Others are still learning how to trust adults.

We want to become their safe place.

But sometimes we're struggling emotionally ourselves.

Who Takes Care of Nannie?

That's the question I want more grandfamilies to ask.

Because when a grandmother becomes seriously ill, the emotional impact can extend throughout the household.

The children need support.

But so does the grandmother.

There's a difference between being strong for your family and believing you're never allowed to struggle.

If you're experiencing persistent depression, anxiety, hopelessness, or difficulty functioning, please discuss those symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional.

Previous mental health conditions and current medications should be part of any menopause treatment discussion.

Your mental health deserves the same attention as your physical health.

The Guilt of Being a Grandmother Who Needs Care

This is where things get emotional.

When you're raising grandchildren, guilt seems to find its way into everything.

You feel guilty when you're tired.

Guilty when you lose your patience.

Guilty when you need to cancel an activity.

Guilty when your body isn't cooperating.

And guilty when medical treatment requires time or money you wish you could spend elsewhere.

For me, there's an additional emotional layer.

I know my granddaughters have already experienced fear surrounding my health.

I know the possibility of losing me has frightened them.

So when I need medical attention, I have to consider their emotional needs, too.

I want to protect them from unnecessary fear.

But I also need to protect my health.

I don't want the girls worrying every time I have an appointment.

But I don't want to ignore symptoms because I'm afraid of upsetting them.

I've come to believe the answer isn't pretending everything is fine.

It's creating a family environment where medical care is normal, questions are welcome, and children know responsible adults are looking after them.

💜 A Note From Nannie

Your grandchildren didn't choose the circumstances that brought them into your care.

They deserve love, patience, stability, and understanding.

But you didn't choose every circumstance that brought you here either.

You didn't choose to become ill.

You didn't choose chronic pain, major surgery, disability, or the changes happening in your body.

You chose to love your grandchildren.

That choice doesn't require you to ignore your own needs.

Your grandchildren deserve to feel safe.

And you deserve care, too.

When You Lose Your Patience

Let's talk about something most caregivers recognize.

Sometimes we lose our patience.

Maybe you've had a long day.

Your body hurts.

You're worried about a medical appointment.

One child is arguing about homework.

Another needs something immediately.

And suddenly, you snap.

Then you feel terrible.

Children don't need perfect grandparents.

They need adults who recognize mistakes and repair relationships.

"Nannie was feeling overwhelmed, and I didn't handle that very well. I'm sorry. You didn't deserve that. Let's try again."

Adults experience difficult emotions.

Adults make mistakes.

And adults take responsibility for how they treat people.

We also need to model healthy boundaries.

Sometimes the right response is simply:

"I'm feeling tired today, so we're going to have a quieter afternoon."

That explanation doesn't make children responsible for your health.

It teaches them that everyone has needs.

When Menopause Treatment Has to Fit Around Existing Health Problems

What happens when menopause arrives after years of serious medical problems?

What if you've had major surgery?

What if you're permanently disabled?

What if you're already taking several medications?

What if you have a history of depression or anxiety?

What if your digestive system no longer functions the way it once did?

These are important questions.

Hormone therapy is an effective treatment for certain menopausal symptoms, particularly hot flashes and night sweats.

Nonhormonal treatment options are available as well.

But treatment decisions depend on individual medical history, current medications, symptoms, and personal risk factors.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends discussing treatment benefits and risks with a healthcare professional.

Review ACOG's patient guide to menopause hormone therapy.

For someone like me, with a complicated medical history, that matters.

Before an appointment, I recommend preparing questions.

Questions Worth Asking Your Doctor

Which symptoms might be related to menopause, and which need separate evaluation?
How do my previous surgeries or chronic conditions affect treatment options?
Will treatment interfere with medications I'm already taking?
Are there nonhormonal options appropriate for me?
Should my specialists coordinate my care?
What symptoms require immediate attention?
How often should we review my treatment plan?

A treatment plan should reflect the body you're living with today.

Not the body you had twenty years ago.

The Hidden Job of Managing Chronic Illness

People see the visible responsibilities of raising grandchildren.

School transportation. Homework. Meals. Laundry. Housework.

What they don't always see is the additional work involved in managing a chronic medical condition.

Refilling prescriptions
Ordering medical supplies
Contacting insurance providers
Scheduling medical appointments
Monitoring symptoms
Communicating with doctors
Following treatment instructions
Preparing for unexpected complications

For someone managing an ostomy, medical supplies are necessities.

Running out of essential supplies isn't comparable to discovering you've run out of dish soap.

The consequences are different.

That's why I recommend creating two plans that work together.

One plan for the children.

Another for your own health.

Both are important.

Creating a Family Routine That Works With Your Health

One practical adjustment is to stop expecting every day to look the same.

I recommend three versions of your family routine.

🌿 Good-Energy Days

Handle errands, prepare meals, enjoy activities, and organize household tasks when you're feeling reasonably well. Continue respecting medical restrictions.

🌸 Low-Energy Days

Simplify meals, postpone unnecessary chores, and encourage age-appropriate household help. Make room for additional rest.

💜 Medical-Priority Days

Prioritize appointments, treatment, recovery, and urgent medical needs. Arrange support for transportation, meals, and childcare.

For me, a good day isn't permission to start lifting heavy things.

My medical restrictions still apply when I'm feeling stronger.

And a difficult day doesn't mean I've failed my family.

It means our family routine needs to make room for reality.

Making Your Healthcare Part of the Family Schedule

Instead of squeezing medical appointments into whatever time happens to remain, start by identifying essential healthcare commitments.

These might include specialist visits, physical therapy, prescription refills, lab work, counseling, or medical supply orders.

Then coordinate family responsibilities around those commitments whenever possible.

For grandparents managing an ostomy, a supply inventory is especially helpful.

Keep track of what you have, when to reorder, and whom to contact if there's a problem.

Ask your medical team or supplier how much backup inventory is appropriate.

A Practical Weekly Health Check-In

Review upcoming medical appointments.
Check prescriptions and necessary supplies.
Review the children's school schedule.
Arrange help with tasks you cannot safely perform.
Identify backup transportation when needed.
Make time for rest and symptom monitoring.
Write down concerns for your healthcare team.

A few minutes of planning might prevent avoidable scheduling problems later.

Including the Children Without Making Them Responsible for Your Health

Children benefit from participating in ordinary household responsibilities.

Depending on their ages, they might put away belongings, prepare backpacks, fold simple laundry, set the table, or help with meals.

But there is an important difference between learning responsibility and becoming responsible for a caregiver's health.

I don't want my granddaughters feeling they must take care of Nannie to keep her alive.

I don't want them monitoring my symptoms or becoming frightened whenever I need to rest.

And I don't want them putting aside their own needs because they're worried about mine.

They deserve to enjoy their childhoods.

They deserve friendships, school activities, laughter, and ordinary experiences.

My medical care belongs with me and the adults and professionals supporting me.

What Happens to the Grandchildren If Nannie Needs the Hospital?

This is one of the most important conversations grandfamilies need to have.

What happens if the primary caregiver becomes seriously ill?

Who picks up the children?

Who prepares meals?

Who knows their school schedule?

Who has permission to make necessary decisions?

For families with complicated custody or guardianship arrangements, who has legal authority to provide temporary care?

After experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, I understand why having a backup plan matters.

Our Family Emergency Folder

Consider keeping these items together in a secure location:

Trusted emergency contacts
School pickup information
Medical information for the children
Daily schedules and routines
Medication instructions for the children
Relevant custody or guardianship documents
Backup childcare arrangements
Transportation information
Names of adults who have agreed to help

Review temporary caregiving authority and school authorization requirements with the appropriate school officials or qualified legal professionals.

Children don't need to carry the weight of emergency planning.

But knowing a trusted adult will care for them if Nannie needs medical attention provides a concrete source of reassurance.

An emergency plan isn't a prediction that something terrible will happen.

It's a way of making sure the children remain cared for while the adults handle an emergency.

When a Child's Fear Needs More Support

Some worry after a loved one's serious illness is understandable.

But persistent fear deserves attention.

If a child becomes increasingly distressed about separation, experiences ongoing sleep problems, avoids school, or repeatedly worries about losing a caregiver, consider talking with a pediatrician or child mental health professional.

A school counselor might also provide support.

Children who have experienced several stressful family events sometimes benefit from additional opportunities to process their feelings.

A child doesn't need to reach a crisis before receiving support.

Their emotional needs deserve to be taken seriously.

Rest Isn't Laziness

Have you ever sat down to rest and immediately started thinking about everything you should be doing?

The laundry. The dishes. The grocery shopping. The school paperwork.

The medical supplies you need to order.

The appointment you need to schedule.

Sometimes the hardest part of resting is giving yourself permission to do it.

But rest isn't laziness.

And your value as a grandmother isn't measured by how many chores you complete.

After major surgery, repeated hospitalizations, and the challenges of living with a permanent medical condition, I've had to learn to respect what my body is telling me.

That's still a work in progress.

Some days I'm better at it than others.

But I'm learning something important.

Taking care of myself belongs on the schedule, too.

Sometimes showing my granddaughters that Nannie follows her treatment plan and respects her physical limitations teaches them something valuable about caring for themselves.

Using ChatGPT to Make Family Life a Little Easier

One reason I created GrandFamily AI is because I understand how overwhelming everyday responsibilities become.

Especially when you're raising grandchildren later in life.

Especially when you're managing medical problems.

And especially when the children in your care have emotional needs requiring additional patience and understanding.

Technology won't fix menopause.

ChatGPT won't treat chronic illness.

And AI isn't a substitute for medical or mental health professionals.

But AI tools are useful for organizing household responsibilities, preparing questions, planning meals, and simplifying schedules.

Sometimes getting everything out of your head and into a manageable plan is a relief.

🤖 Try This Free Grandfamily Health & Wellness Prompt

Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT:

I'm a grandmother raising grandchildren while managing menopause and an ongoing medical condition.

My health requires regular appointments, treatment, and rest.

My grandchildren have also experienced worry about my health.

Help me create a realistic weekly family schedule around school transportation, meals, homework, household responsibilities, and medical appointments.

Include a simpler routine for low-energy days and a practical backup plan for unexpected medical problems.

Suggest age-appropriate ways to reassure children without making them responsible for my health.

Ask me one question at a time.

Do not provide medical treatment advice.

Privacy tip: Avoid entering private medical records or identifying information about your grandchildren.

Sometimes a little organization creates room for the things that matter most.

Including rest.

Five Things I Want Every Grandmother to Remember

1. Your Medical Needs Are Not Optional

If you require ongoing treatment, medical supplies, medication, or professional care, those needs deserve attention.

2. Menopause Symptoms Deserve Evaluation

Persistent fatigue, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms deserve medical assessment, especially when you're already managing chronic illness.

3. Your Grandchildren's Emotional Health Matters

Children who fear losing a caregiver deserve honest reassurance, stable routines, and appropriate support.

4. Disability Doesn't Determine Your Worth

Your physical limitations don't determine how much love, wisdom, stability, or guidance you offer your grandchildren.

5. You Still Deserve a Life of Your Own

You deserve medical care, friendships, rest, meaningful activities, and happiness.

Being Nannie is an important part of who I am.

It isn't the entirety of who I am.

And the same is true for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a grandparent's serious illness affect a grandchild's mental health?

Yes. Children sometimes experience fear, anxiety, sleep difficulties, or worries about losing someone they love. Their responses depend on age, past experiences, family circumstances, and support. Persistent distress deserves professional attention.

How should grandparents talk to children who are afraid of losing them?

Use honest, age-appropriate language. Acknowledge the child's feelings, explain what is being done to manage the illness, and identify trusted adults who will care for the child if needed. Avoid promises about medical outcomes.

Is menopause harder when you're raising grandchildren?

Experiences vary. Sleep difficulties, fatigue, mood changes, and concentration problems sometimes make caregiving more challenging. Existing medical conditions and caregiver stress add further complexity.

Does menopause affect women with permanent colostomies?

Women with colostomies experience menopause, but treatment considerations depend on individual medical history. New digestive symptoms, dehydration, and blockages should not automatically be attributed to menopause.

How do you manage menopause alongside chronic illness?

Review your medical history and current medications with your healthcare team. Discuss appropriate treatment options, maintain necessary follow-up care, and organize household responsibilities around essential treatment needs.

How should grandparents prepare for a possible hospitalization?

Identify trusted backup caregivers, organize essential family information, review school pickup arrangements, and confirm necessary legal authorizations. Explain the plan to children in language appropriate for their ages.

💜 A Final Note From Nannie

Two years ago, I wasn't sure I would survive another year.

I was sick.

I was depressed.

I was exhausted from living with a medical condition that had taken away so much of my quality of life.

Then came the words no one wants to hear.

I needed major surgery, or I could die.

In April 2025, my life changed permanently.

I survived the surgery, but survival wasn't the end of the story.

I had to learn how to live with a colostomy.

How to recognize complications.

How to adjust my diet.

How to respect physical limitations.

And how to accept that some things would never be exactly the way they were before.

I'm still learning.

I'm only eighteen months into this new chapter of my life.

I've had repeated hospital visits because of blockages.

I still need ongoing medical care.

And there are days when managing my health is exhausting.

But my medical journey hasn't affected only me.

My granddaughters have experienced fear about losing me.

That fear began before they came to live with me.

And knowing they've carried those worries adds another layer to my responsibilities as their Nannie.

I want them to feel safe.

I want them to know they don't have to spend their childhood worrying about things beyond their control.

And I want them to feel comfortable telling me when they're scared.

My two granddaughters are now full-time members of our household.

Suddenly, there are school mornings again.

Homework.

Bedtime stories.

Children laughing in the house.

Little problems that feel enormous to a child.

Big feelings.

And two girls who need stability, guidance, and unconditional love.

My days are busier than I ever expected.

I've lost 46 pounds since they came to live with me.

My household is full of responsibilities.

And my life looks completely different from the one I imagined two years ago.

There are moments when I'm overwhelmed.

Moments when I wish my body were stronger.

Moments when I get frustrated with my limitations.

And moments when I have to remind myself that I survived something serious and am still recovering.

But there are also moments when one of my girls hugs me.

When I hear them laughing.

When they accomplish something they've been struggling with.

When they settle into bed at night, knowing they're loved.

And I think about how close I came to missing these moments.

I don't know exactly what the next chapter of my life will look like.

I'm still navigating menopause.

Still managing my disability.

Still learning how to balance medical care with being Nannie.

And still figuring out how to make time for myself.

But I know something now that I didn't fully understand before.

Surviving is only part of the journey.

Learning how to live again matters, too.

And protecting my own health is part of creating the stability I want for my granddaughters.

I don't want to spend the years I've been given feeling guilty because I need rest, medical care, or a little help.

I want to enjoy my grandchildren.

I want to watch them grow.

I want to make memories.

I want to be healthy enough to participate in their lives.

And I want to remember that I still have a life worth living outside my responsibilities as their caregiver.

If you're raising grandchildren while facing menopause, chronic illness, disability, or another difficult chapter, I hope you'll give yourself some grace.

You might be carrying responsibilities nobody else sees.

You might be reassuring frightened children while managing fears of your own.

And you might be trying to rebuild your own life while helping children rebuild theirs.

Please don't forget yourself in the process.

The children need us.

But we matter, too.

With love,
Jen 💜
Nannie & Founder of GrandFamily AI

You Deserve a Little Help, Too 💜

Raising grandchildren while managing your own health is a lot to carry.

At GrandFamily AI, I share practical tools, personal experiences, and simple ways to make everyday family life easier.

Start with my free guide featuring 10 ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts for grandparents.

🎁 Get Nannie's 10 Free Prompts

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Trusted Health & Caregiver Resources

These organizations provide additional information about menopause, chronic illness, ostomy care, and grandfamily caregiving.

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Health Information: GrandFamily AI shares personal caregiving experiences and general educational information. This article does not provide individualized medical or mental health advice. Medical decisions should be discussed with qualified healthcare professionals familiar with your health history.