The early Willie Nelson: Resources for grandparents raising grandchildren

Like most Houstonians, I am concerned about the welfare of children, especially children who face obstacles. Every now and then I run into an unusual story that touches my heart. In this case, I stumbled upon the early story of Willie Nelson, a true Texas icon who didn't have it so easy back in the thick of the Great Depression.

According to the adoption.com website, "Nelson was abandoned by his mother when he was six months old. His father ran a pool hall in Austin, Texas, and he was raised by his grandparents in the village of Abbott, Texas. His grandfather taught him to play the guitar. He began performing in public when he was four years old."

Intrigued, I began to research the influences that Willie's grandparents had on his life. Accounts vary somewhat, but according to fosterclub.com, " . . . grandparents “Mamma” and “Daddy Nelson” looked on little Willie and sister Bobbie Lee as gifts from God. They were eager to raise their young grandchildren and taught them the values of working hard, of loving others and of doing good in the world.  It was from his grandparents that Willie learned his music. They taught themselves the basics of music then passed their knowledge on to their grandchildren. Bobbie learned piano from her Grandmother Nelson and Willie took up guitar. The Nelsons were also church going people."

So . . . Nelson was wanted. And loved. And encouraged. He may have been a child of divorce. He and his sister may have been abandoned. But because of his supportive grandparents, he went on to become a man beloved around the world.

According to nnbd.com, "After serving in the Air Force and dropping out of college, he worked as a Bible salesman and disc jockey, played in honky-tonks, and wrote a few songs of his own." The rest is history.  His sister, Bobbie Nelson, is an accomplished pianist and remains close to her brother. Both kids have done their grandparents proud . . .

Which brings us to the topic of grandparents raising grandkids.

Many grandparents in the Houston area have taken on the role of guardian and provider for their grandkids. The circumstances are varied and can range from teen pregnancy to drug addiction, mental illness, incarceration, intervention from Child Protective Service, and the inability to cope. For others, a deployed military member had to leave behind children in order to serve. Or perhaps a son or daughter won a scholarship to a far-away college and had to leave behind children in order to take advantage of the opportunity.

Regardless, Elder Options of Texas has a great website and shares information on grandparents raising grandkids. They can point grandparents to resources and where to find help. 

The AARP Foundation, The Brookdale Foundation Group, Casey Family Programs, Children's Defense Fund,
Child Welfare League of America, and Generations United have banded together to produce fact sheets for grandparents and other relatives raising children. Check out www.grandfactsheets.org for more information on state-specific data, programs, and public policies.