What happens when the "temporary" label finally falls off? For years, kinship caregivers live on pins and needles, acting like "parenting as usual" while a caseworker assesses their living rooms. Today, we are celebrating a massive executive win. Mary Hels-Jager returns to the boardroom to share the ultimate update: her granddaughter’s adoption is officially final.
Mary and Laura dive deep into what it means to be the "Club Sandwich Generation"—managing a toddler, adult children, and aging parents all at once. If you feel like your life is a "beautiful mess" rather than a sitcom, this episode is your permission to embrace "good enough" leadership.
In this episode, we discuss:
The "Breakout Room" Strategy: How Mary used her HR background to force the court to address gang-related safety risks.
The "Snap" of Attachment: The emotional moment her granddaughter stopped calling her "Grandma" and started calling her "Mom."
Systemic Audits: Why you should never settle for "Guardianship" when Adoption is the goal.
The 15-of-22 Rule: How to hold the system to federal timelines and stop the "languishing" of children in care.
The Baptismal Gown Metaphor: Reclaiming family history and traditions after the legal battle is won.
🔗 Visit our Website for the "Toolbox" Checklist: www.grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org
🔗 Follow us on Instagram for Daily Advocacy: @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren
🔗 Apply for the Grandparent Trauma Course Scholarship: [Link]
Are you currently drowning in red tape? Watch this episode to learn how to move from a "protective custody" mindset to Permanent Authority. Please Like, Subscribe, and Share this with another kinship family. We are 2.7 million strong—still nurturing, and still here.
#KinshipCare #GrandparentsRaisingGrandchildren #AdoptionVictory #FosterCareSystem #InvisibleCEO #TraumaInformedParenting #LegalRights
