January 1st usually feels like a fresh start, but for those of us raising grandchildren, it can feel like just another day of holding the line.
This morning, I sat with my journal and realized that after four years of "Parenting Twice," I am not the same woman I was before that midnight phone call. I have traded "The Retirement Version" of my life—the one filled with leisure and hard-earned peace—for a rescue mission.
Today, I am launching The 2.7 Million Project. According to the data, there are 2.7 million grandparents currently raising their grandchildren. When we look at the aunts, uncles, and siblings joining us, we are a silent army of over 3 million kinship caregivers. We are the Invisible CEOs of our families, and this year, we are stepping out of the shadows.
Journal Excerp: The "Ghost Life"
Let’s be honest: You can love the child with every fiber of your soul and still mourn the freedom you lost. It’s okay to admit that the "Second Cradle" feels heavy. Admitting the weight doesn’t mean you’re going to drop it; it just means you’re acknowledging the sheer grit it takes to carry it.
In Episode 94, I shared the manifesto of our new mission. But for you, my newsletter family, I wanted to share a section of the unedited page from my Jan 1st journal. This is what 'The Retirement Version' actually looked like when it hit the reality of the midnight call."
"The house is finally quiet, but my head is screaming. There is a stroller in the hallway where my suitcase used to live... I told Tom I didn't want this either. I lied a little—I told him I was sure we could do it. I’m not sure. I’m just terrified. But I’m here. We are here."
The Transition: "We often talk about the children’s loss, but we rarely talk about our own 'Secondary Grief.' It’s a ghost life that follows us around the grocery store, whispering, 'You were supposed to be done by now.
Inside the Project: Episode 94
In our first episode of 2026, I’m laying it all on the table. We’re moving from survival to significance.
- The Midnight Phone Call: The moment the leisure dream ended and the mission began.
- The Spiritual Anchor: Finding the Divine in a 3:00 AM fever.
- The Solo Army: Tactical survival for those holding the line alone.
🎧 Episode 94: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren- From Survival Mode to Invisible CEO​
The Reflection Room: Your Story Needed ✍️
I am writing our book this year, and I want your heart in it. This week, I’m asking: What was "The Retirement Version" of the dream you had before this journey began? What is the one thing you miss most? Hit REPLY and tell me. Your honesty will help shape the opening of our book.
The Toolbox 🛠️
- The One-Minute Silence: If the house feels chaotic, don't fix. Just breathe for 60 seconds.
- Share the Mission: Forward this to one caregiver who needs to know they aren't alone.
In Case You Missed It: The Best of 2025 🏆
Before we dive deep into the new year, catch up on the top 3 episodes your community loved most:
As we hit our 100th episode and move into 2026, you’ll notice 'Legacy Builders' is growing. I’m moving closer to the 'raw matter' of our lives because I’m writing a book to give our 2.7 million-strong community a voice. The tips and experts are still here, but the mission is getting deeper.
I’m Laura Brazan. We are the keepers of the future. Our path may be difficult, but our presence is unwavering. We are still here.
Sending you peace,
Laura Brazan
Founder, The 2.7 Million Project/Host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity
​https://www.grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org/​
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