When it comes to raising a young relative, there’s no official guidebook—it requires love, hard work, and adaptability. Milwaukee grandmother Synthia Diamond sat down with us recently to share her own journey of challenging conversations, ongoing education, and the joy of watching her boys grow.
Understanding Her Role
For children who are raised from a young age by a relative, the caregiver isn’t just a grandmother or an uncle—they’re Mom or Dad in every way that matters. Ms. Diamond often finds herself having conversations with others about her role as her grandsons’ primary caregiver, such as explaining that terms like “birth mother” are confusing for the boys, who have been with her their whole lives. She says, “The kids don’t know anything else. When [people] try to make that distinction, it really affects them.”
Support and Information
In addition to the need for others to understand the role of relative caregivers, Ms. Diamond also believes that the community needs to be willing to provide support. She emphasizes, “I couldn’t do it by myself. You can’t be afraid to ask for help. It takes a village to raise a kid, and we all need to get back to that.” Previous generations relied on each other more when it came to child-rearing, and it’s essential to ask for support when needed, whether it’s from other family members, teachers, neighbors, or community members.
Ms. Diamond also stresses that information is always changing, and caregivers need access to updated resources to stay on top of an evolving world. She says, “Whether it’s access to services or parenting advice, staying informed makes a difference.”
An Important Takeaway
Ms. Diamond has learned that raising a relative is a 24/7 job that doesn’t always go according to plan. She explains, “You organize; you’ve got the school stuff ready, you’ve got the house clean, you’ve got the appointments done, and then boom. Here we come with an unexpected emergency.” She wants to remind caregivers that it’s impossible to predict the future, and adaptability is key to be able to tackle unforeseen issues.
Moments of Joy
Despite the challenges, Ms. Diamond still finds plenty to celebrate. Her nine-year-old is a little engineer, always fixing things, and her seven-year-old has mastered ALL of Michael Jackson’s dance moves (including some she wishes he hadn’t!). Their family loves to spend time together watching movies and playing classic board games like Monopoly and Life.
For those stepping into the role of a relative caregiver, this story is a reminder: it’s tough, but love, perseverance, and a strong village make all the difference.
