More grandparents across the Suncoast are raising school-age grandchildren, and many are discovering that the biggest adjustment isn’t bedtime or lunchboxes. It’s the school portal. Assignments, grades and teacher messages now live behind a login, and the math looks nothing like what they learned. The good news, according to gerontologist Sam Cradduck, is that these caregivers aren’t alone. Younger parents struggle with the same apps and tablets every single day.
The experts say the help is already in place and it’s free. Local librarians can guide kids through homework and technology. Teachers, school counselors, tutors and parent liaisons are there for families who ask. Dr. Rhea Rogers says children need consistency more than a perfect caregiver, which takes some pressure off anyone worried about keeping up with every new platform.
Aging coach Katherine Ambrose offers a reframe that many families find comforting: this chapter might look like an interruption to retirement, but it could be the greatest legacy a grandparent ever builds. If you’re back in the homework trenches, where did you find the best help? Let us know and we’ll share the best tips on air.
