Coping Strategies Episodes

This episode highlights issues concerning rural kinship care. Are you a grandparent stepping into the role of raising grandchildren, questioning how to build a sanctuary out of chaos—especially when trauma lingers in your family’s story? Do legal barriers, relentless exhaustion, or the stigma of addiction leave you feeling stranded, yearning for guidance grounded in real science rather than just willpower? If you’ve ever wished you could pause the world for a moment of rest or clarity, you are n...

Have you ever felt like the system is writing the ending of your grandchild’s story before they’ve even found their voice? Are your grandchildren weighed down by labels—traumatized, behind, abnormal—while you’re expected to manage their pain and follow rigid rules? If you’ve ever felt powerless to change the narrative or wished you could help your grandchild reclaim their identity from the case files, this episode is for you. I’m Laura Brazan, and after my own family was reshaped by adversity, ...

Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren, carrying the silent weight of anger, resentment, or shame from a family crisis? Have you been told to “just forgive” but found that advice hollow, leaving you alone with pain that keeps resurfacing? Does your anger feel like a protective shield—yet you secretly yearn for true relief, clearer connection, and more energy to nurture those in your care? In this space, we explore the deep, messy, and necessary journey of forgiveness for kinship caregivers—...

Are you a grandparent thrust unexpectedly into raising your grandchildren, feeling the relentless drizzle of exhaustion and caregiver burnout, even as you keep your family afloat? Do you sometimes find yourself trapped in a loop of irritation or resentment, questioning if joy is even possible on this journey? You are not alone. What if I told you that you don't have to raise your grandchildren? What if I told you that every dish in your sink and every mile you drive to school is a choice, not...

Does bedtime feel less like a cozy ritual and more like crossing a battlefield filled with tears, anxiety, and wakeful shadows? Are you a grandparent tirelessly nurturing grandchildren scarred by trauma, craving not just peace at the end of the day, but real tools to foster resilience? Perhaps you recognize yourself in those moments—the digital quick fixes, the fear of changing routines, the exhaustion weighing down your resolve—wondering if traditional sleep training for trauma is the answer, o...

Do you ever wonder how to truly connect with a teen who’s pushing you away, when every word feels like it could spark a door-slam or an icy silence? Are you a grandparent navigating the dizzying maze of parenting teens in kinship care—grappling with the fear that trauma might repeat itself, and unsure how to bridge the gap as your grandchild grows into adolescence? When “I love you” turns to eye rolls and “goodnight” is answered by a closed door, it’s easy to feel like an outsider in your own ho...

Are you a grandparent thrust into the role of primary caregiver, managing the relentless stress, marriage challenges, and behavioral transitions that come with grandparents raising grandchildren? Do you wonder how to move from surviving daily crises to building a sanctuary in your home—one where healing and hope are possible for both you and your grandchildren? Has your retirement story taken an unexpected detour, leaving you to mourn lost dreams while navigating the high-stakes world of kinship...

Are you a grandparent, caregiver, or child impacted by generational trauma? Do you wrestle with questions of connection, healing, and the breaking generational trauma? Are you searching for authentic guidance to rewrite your family’s future after abuse or neglect? I’m Laura Brazan, and in this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' we confront the realities of trauma and healing. Our guest, therapist and author Johnzelle Anderson, shares his powerful sto...

Are you a grandparents raising grandchildren who finds yourself stepping back into the exhausting world of parenting, unexpectedly raising your grandchildren in the wake of family upheaval? Do you ever mourn the peaceful retirement you imagined, longing for slow mornings and carefree days, only to wake up facing a mountain of responsibilities you didn't choose? Does the gap between the life you hoped for and the reality you’re living sometimes feel like a weight you carry in solitude? I’m Lau...

Are you a grandparent overwhelmed by the high-paced chaos of raising grandchildren, trying to break cycles of crisis and create lasting stability? Do you find yourself burning out, reacting to emergencies instead of building a resilient, nurturing home for the children in your care? Are you searching for practical ways to slow down, reconnect, and find the “campfire moments” that bring warmth and peace to your family? This video is about slow growth parenting. I’m Laura Brazan, and after becomin...

This episode is about building a good kinship care framework. Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren while trying to balance compassion with structure in your home? Do you find yourself reverting to “because I said so” parenting, only to meet resistance, trauma triggers, or confusion from the children in your care? Are you yearning for practical guidance, emotional support, and a framework to help you navigate this unexpectedly challenging season of life? I’m Laura Brazan, and like you, ...

This episode is about the ROI of kinship love. Are you a grandparent wondering if the small, steadfast acts of love you give truly shape your grandchildren’s future? Do you ever feel invisible, pouring your heart into healing generational wounds and wondering if your impact will last? Are you navigating the complexities of kinship care, trauma, and family resilience, looking for inspiration and validation along the way? I’m Laura Brazan, host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing T...

This episode is about emotional hygiene for caregivers". Are you a grandparent, foster, or adoptive parent feeling overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster of kinship caregiving? Do you find yourself longing for peace and clarity as you juggle legal, financial, and family traumas—sometimes sinking under the weight of tough choices, chaotic homes, and the persistent sense that you "should" be able to handle it all? You’re not alone. The unseen labor of nurturing children through adversity can b...

Are you a single grandparent shouldering the full weight of raising your grandchildren? Are you constantly battling daily chaos—laundry piles, endless paperwork, and legal hurdles—while sacrificing your own sanity? Do you want kinship care advice? A better way to manage the relentless demands of kinship care, or fear you’re failing at the logistics behind the love? I'm Laura Brazan, and after years of navigating trauma, court dates, and school forms, I learned it’s not a personal failing—it’s...

A 60-second introduction to the new mission for grandparents and kinship caregivers moving from survival to significance. Send us a text Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined. Remember, you're not alone ...

Are endless sleepless nights leaving you and your grandchildren exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed? Are you as a grandparent struggling to juggle caregiving, homework, and household responsibilities—all while running on empty? You’re not alone. Sleep deprivation can impact everyone in the household, from your grandkids’ behavior and learning to your own health and emotional resilience. I’m Laura Brazan, and in this week’s episode of “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adv...

Are you a grandparent who has stepped up to raise your grandchildren following profound family loss, feeling the weight of multi-layered grief while striving to create a nurturing, stable home? Do you find yourself struggling to support children’s emotional needs while managing your own sorrow and uncertainty? For many grandfamilies, the journey through grief is complex and often misunderstood, leaving caregivers searching for effective, faith-based tools to bring healing and hope. I’m Laura Br...

Support Groups for Grandparents with Nicholeen Peck Are you a grandparent unexpectedly stepping into the role of full-time parent for your grandchildren? Navigating school runs, tantrums, and isolation in an upturned social life? Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, searching for a community that understands your unique challenges? You're not alone in this journey of kinship care and the complexities it brings. I’m Laura Brazan, and like you, I found myself in the profound role of raising ...

This episode focuses on self-government parenting. Feeling overwhelmed while raising your grandchildren? Do you encounter daily challenges and behavioral issues that leave you yearning for control and peace in the household? Are you searching for effective strategies to communicate better and foster a calm environment? Discover hope and transformation with expert guidance. I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' In our latest episode, we dive...

3 great self-care tips for caregivers! Welcome back to "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren." In today's episode, we're diving into "3 Fun Self-Care Tips for Caregivers." I'm your host, Laura Brazan, and joining me is self-care coach extraordinaire, Jeanette Yates. Jeanette Yates is a lifelong caregiver, Certified Life Coach, Yoga Instructor, Modern Mindfulness/Meditation teacher, and holds a Reiki Level 1 certification. As a founder of The Self-Caregiver, she has dedicated her life to helping c...

This video is about kinship care support. Today we will talk about the heartache and unexpected challenges that come with taking on the role of primary caregivers for your grandkids, so you can rediscover the joy and purpose in this new chapter of life. That’s all coming up next, right here on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity. Stay Tuned. This is Episode 2, and today we're talking about the rollercoaster of emotions and hurdles you face when your retirement plan...