I am a professional hand engraver and gold inlay artist. I’m from NYC and moved to northwest Montana thirty five years ago. Two years ago my husband and I became legal guardians of two of our seven grandchildren, now ages 5 and 8. With little resources available and no community, I developed the “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity” podcast with the encouragement of the University of Montana. Sharing advice from experts and stories from other grandparents from all over the country we hope to provide hope and community while educating others about this challenging task.
Recent Content
In this insightful episode, we delve into the often overlooked complexities of youth sports parenting with Michael Huber. Many of us can relate to the pressures of being a young athlete—either feeli…
In this insightful e…
In this insightful episode, we delve into the often overlooked complexities of youth sports parenting with Michael Huber. Many of us can relate to the pressures of being a young athlete—either feeling the weight of expectations from parents to excel in every game or facing the sting of being sidelined and overlooked. Michael shares his mission to equip young athletes and their families with essential tools to navigate today’s increasingly challenging and often toxic sports environment.We explore the unique pressures young athletes face and discuss how we can foster a healthier, more suppor…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising a transgender grandchild, facing unique challenges and navigating complex family dynamics? Do you struggle with ensuring a supportive environment for your gr…
Are you a grandparen…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising a transgender grandchild, facing unique challenges and navigating complex family dynamics? Do you struggle with ensuring a supportive environment for your grandchild amidst societal prejudice and emotional obstacles? Are you yearning to break down barriers and foster understanding, compassion, and acceptance while also maintaining your own mental and physical health?I’m Laura Brazan, and in this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,' we dive into the transformative journey of Lily Payne, a grandmother redefining her role as she r…
Are you a grandparent or caregiver, finding yourself raising a child with unique and complex needs? Does navigating the landscape of neurodiversity, special Education plans, and finding a balance with…
Are you a grandparen…
Are you a grandparent or caregiver, finding yourself raising a child with unique and complex needs? Does navigating the landscape of neurodiversity, special education plans, and finding a balance with Technology seem overwhelming? Are you grappling with both the joys and challenges of raising a child who transforms your understanding of care and family dynamics?I’m Laura Brazan, and today, we delve into the world of raising complex children with special guest Michelle Choairy, a mom turned advocate and co-founder of "Collective Wisdom for Complex Kids." Michelle shares her powerful "Thrive" …
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising your teenage grandchildren, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of Mental Health and addiction recovery? Do you worry about how to effectively guide them t…
Are you a grandparen…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising your teenage grandchildren, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of mental health and addiction recovery? Do you worry about how to effectively guide them through their struggles, ensuring they develop the life skills needed to thrive? Are you seeking expert advice and real-life stories to better support your family during these trying times? I’m Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,' a dedicated podcast to support grandparents like you. In this episode, "Achieving Success: Guiding Teens Through Mental Health and Add…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly faced with raising your grandchildren while dealing with the heartbreaking loss of your own child? Do you find yourself yearning for understanding and navigating thr…
Are you a grandparen…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly faced with raising your grandchildren while dealing with the heartbreaking loss of your own child? Do you find yourself yearning for understanding and navigating through a maze of emotions, responsibilities, and societal expectations? Are you struggling to balance mental health, physical wellness, and spiritual Growth while carrying the weight of Grief?I’m Laura Brazan, and a decade after losing my son, I've become an advocate for grandparents like you, raising their grandchildren under challenging circumstances. My journey has shown me that it’s pos…
Are you raising your grandchildren while navigating the complex terrain of Trauma, healing, and resilience? Do you find yourself struggling to find a community that truly understands the unique challe…
Are you raising your…
Are you raising your grandchildren while navigating the complex terrain of trauma, healing, and resilience? Do you find yourself struggling to find a community that truly understands the unique challenges and triumphs that come with this unexpected journey? Are you yearning for insights on turning pain into power and building a life filled with purpose and hope?I’m Laura Brazan, and in 2022, my world shifted dramatically when I became a grandparent raising grandchildren. Despite decades of motherhood, I never anticipated being thrust back into parenting during my Retirement. Through the hear…
Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren and concerned about their health and Diet? Struggling to navigate the complex relationship between food, emotional Stress, and obesity in children? Do you w…
Are you a grandparen…
Are you a grandparent raising grandchildren and concerned about their health and diet? Struggling to navigate the complex relationship between food, emotional stress, and obesity in children? Do you wish you had a resource to guide you through fostering Healthy Eating habits amidst a turbulent past?I’m Laura Brazan, and on this episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' we delve deep into the crucial topic, "What Everyone Ought to Know About Obesity." Join me and our insightful guest, Jason Stanley, an obesity researcher, as we unravel the soberin…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising your grandchildren, wrestling with the complexities of upheaval and uncertainty? Do you find it challenging to embrace joy amidst the tumultuous rollercoaste…
Are you a grandparen…
Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising your grandchildren, wrestling with the complexities of upheaval and uncertainty? Do you find it challenging to embrace joy amidst the tumultuous rollercoaster of responsibility, stress, and emotional wounds? Are you searching for that elusive balance between duty and personal happiness, often feeling lost in the daily grind?I’m Laura Brazan, your host at 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.' Like many of you, in 2022, my life took an unforeseen turn when I became the primary caregiver for my grandchildren. Navi…
Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren." I'm your host, Laura Brazan, and today we're diving into the critical topic of setting boundaries—a fund…
Welcome back to anot…
Welcome back to another insightful episode of "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren." I'm your host, Laura Brazan, and today we're diving into the critical topic of setting boundaries—a fundamental step towards creating a loving and secure environment for grandchildren. Our special guest, Catherine Cleveland, a licensed mental health counselor and author, joins us to share her expertise on boundary-setting. Catherine will walk us through the essence of her book, "The Four Essential Pillars of Boundary Setting," and explain how understanding personal and family values can lead to eff…
Are you navigating the highs and lows of unexpectedly raising your foster grandchild, feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of the foster care system and mental health challenges? Do you struggle wi…
Are you navigating t…
Are you navigating the highs and lows of unexpectedly raising your foster grandchild, feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of the foster care system and mental health challenges? Do you struggle with the painful memories of past traumas and disruptions, unsure if your household can find balance again? Are you looking for guidance, understanding, and a supportive community to share your journey in kinship care?I’m Laura Brazan, and today we dive into an emotional, enlightening, and sometimes gut-wrenching topic in 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity.'…
Feeling the weight of raising your grandchildren and navigating the complexities of unprocessed trauma? Do you struggle with a whirlwind of emotions, searching for resilience amidst adversity? Welcome…
Feeling the weight o…
Feeling the weight of raising your grandchildren and navigating the complexities of unprocessed trauma? Do you struggle with a whirlwind of emotions, searching for resilience amidst adversity? Welcome to 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: The Healing Power of Storytelling and Overcoming Trauma.' I'm Laura Brazan, your host. In 2022, my journey took an unexpected turn when I found myself raising my grandchildren overnight. Through heartache and hope, I've discovered the transformative power of storytelling. In this episode, join mental health professional and trauma survi…
Send us a textAre you a grandparent raising young children and seeking guidance on fostering language development amid the unique challenges you face? Are you searching for effective strategies to sup…
Send us a textAre yo…
Send us a textAre you a grandparent raising young children and seeking guidance on fostering language development amid the unique challenges you face? Are you searching for effective strategies to support your grandchildren's communication skills while navigating their speech obstacles? Do you wish there were more accessible tools and techniques designed specifically for caregivers like you?I’m Laura Brazan, a dedicated grandmother with firsthand experience in addressing speech challenges within our family. In 2023, I stepped deeper into this role, inspired by the journey of my grandchi…
Send us a textDo you find yourself unexpectedly stepping into the role of a grandparent raising your grandchildren, overwhelmed by the emotional and practical challenges that come with it? Are you sea…
Send us a textDo you…
Send us a textDo you find yourself unexpectedly stepping into the role of a grandparent raising your grandchildren, overwhelmed by the emotional and practical challenges that come with it? Are you searching for effective ways to help your grandchildren heal from trauma and build a brighter future? Struggling to juggle your love for your grandkids while managing behavioral issues and emotional literacy? Look no further.I'm Laura Brazan, and just like you, I was suddenly thrust into the world of kinship care. Navigating this new chapter, I discovered the healing power of play Therapy and th…
Send us a textAre 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 f…
Send us a textAre yo…
Send us a textAre 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 my grandchildren, a journey filled with unexpected turns and emotional highs and lows. Through experience, I realized the importance …
Send us a textAre you a grandparent unexpectedly thrust into the role of raising your grandchildren, grappling with complex emotions and new responsibilities? Do you find yourself balancing the nuance…
Send us a textAre yo…
Send us a textAre you a grandparent unexpectedly thrust into the role of raising your grandchildren, grappling with complex emotions and new responsibilities? Do you find yourself balancing the nuances of childrearing with the legal, financial, and emotional challenges unique to this journey? Are you seeking insights on mindfulness, self-care, and holistic approaches to well-being?I’m Laura Brazan, and in Episode 25 of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Integrating Eastern Philosophy and Western Psychology in Program Development for Lifelong Wellness,' we delve into the transform…
Send us a textStruggling with the rollercoaster of preteen and teenage social struggles in today's digital age? Is navigating the maze of middle school friendships, social media, and digital dram…
Send us a textStrugg…
Send us a textStruggling with the rollercoaster of preteen and teenage social struggles in today's digital age? Is navigating the maze of middle school friendships, social media, and digital drama leaving you and your grandchild feeling lost? Yearning for solutions in an increasingly connected world?I'm Laura Brazan, and on this week’s episode of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,' we dive deep into "9 Truths About Navigating Social Struggles for Teens and Pre-Teens." Joining me is Jessica Speers, social sciences expert and accomplished author dedicated to guiding prete…
Send us a Text Message.In this heartfelt episode of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, host Laura Brazan sits down with Philip Blackett, an accomplished author, consultant, and entrepreneur, to explo…
Send us a Text Messa…
Send us a Text Message.In this heartfelt episode of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, host Laura Brazan sits down with Philip Blackett, an accomplished author, consultant, and entrepreneur, to explore the profound impact of fatherhood and the power of faith in navigating the challenges of raising grandchildren. Drawing from his own experiences growing up on the autism spectrum and raising twin daughters with autism, Philip shares the invaluable lessons he learned from his grandmother's unwavering love and support.Through their candid conversation, Laura and Philip delve into the complex…
Send us a Text Message.Are you a grandparent unexpectedly thrust into the role of primary caregiver for your grandchildren? Do you feel overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting again while navigatin…
Send us a Text Messa…
Send us a Text Message.Are you a grandparent unexpectedly thrust into the role of primary caregiver for your grandchildren? Do you feel overwhelmed by the challenges of parenting again while navigating the complexities of legal, financial, and emotional support? In the "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" podcast, renowned parenting expert Nicholeen Peck shares powerful strategies to simplify your parenting experience and bring harmony to your household.Discover how the innovative "Teaching Self Government" approach can free families from emotional bondage and inspire grandparents to create a …