December 16, 2011 brought about a wonderful bond and an unexpected change in my life. My son and his girlfriend were young parents, just 17 years old, I ended up providing everything my granddaughter needed from the moment she was born. After living with me for 20 months, in a fit of anger my son and his girlfriend took my niece in the middle of the night and left without a trace. Typically, it was a grandfather who spoiled his grandchildren and then sent them home with their parents. They now must assume the role of parent when the child's parents are unable or unwilling to do so sufficiently (Administration for Children and Families, Region IV). “According to the 2005 American Communities Survey, there are approximately 5.7 million grandparents living with grandchildren in their households; 2.4 million co-resident grandparents primarily care for their grandchildren, representing 42% of all grandparents who reside with their grandchildren (Administration for Children and Families, Region IV).” The reason why grandparents raise their grandchildren is due to the increase in financial inability, drug addiction of parents and teenage mothers. It takes a lot of money to provide everything a child needs and with the rising cost of living parents are often no longer able to provide it. for their children this leads grandparents to offer financial support. “The economy also played a role. The unemployment rate among workers aged 22 to 34 is double that of workers aged 55 to 64 (Facciolo).” The decrease in income could result from several factors; unemployment rates have increased, the cost of living has increased, divorce, drug use or even mental illness (Child Welfare Information Gateway…… half of document……m/blog/matter-personality/201106/ grandparents -raising-grandchildren>.Facciolo, Christine. "More than 2.5 million grandparents take on the role of parent." The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal, April 12, 2012. Article October 31, 2013. "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ." US Library National Library. 2009. 2013. .Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children's Bureau., ICF International. Protecting Children in Families Affected by Substance Use Disorders. 2009. 8 November 2013. .US Census Bureau. “Grandparents.” America Facts Profile for Newsroom Services, 2010. October 27 2013. .