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- I’m 63 and raising four of my grandchildren. Money is very tight, and I haven’t once thought about retiring. (businessinsider.com)
Yukon Grandmother Juggles Full-Time Work and Raising Four Grandchildren Amidst Housing Crisis
Yukon Territory, Canada – At 63 years old, Cindy Chiasson is a testament to unwavering familial love, currently raising four of her grandchildren, ranging in age from 9 to 24, while working full-time and without a retirement plan. Her journey into this demanding role began years ago due to her daughter’s struggle with addiction, and a tight housing market in Canada’s Yukon Territory has added significant challenges to her caregiving responsibilities.
Chiasson’s life as a single mother to four daughters prepared her for many challenges. She pursued a degree in criminal justice as an adult and worked in corrections, a demanding job that often kept her away from home for 12 hours a day during her daughters’ crucial teenage years. A subsequent marriage, marred by abuse, further complicated their lives and, according to Chiasson, contributed to her daughters’ later struggles with alcohol and drugs.
Her career path eventually led her to the Yukon Women’s Transition Home, where she now manages a building for women in the second stage of recovery from domestic violence. It was during this time that her eldest daughter, grappling with addiction since having her first child at 18, returned to the Yukon seeking support.
The turning point came one morning at 3 a.m. when her daughter arrived at Chiasson’s apartment with her three young children and a single bag of belongings. Hours later, after promising to return, she disappeared. That night, police and a social worker arrived at Chiasson’s door, prepared to apprehend the children due to a domestic violence incident involving her daughter.
Chiasson, drawing on her experience in corrections and her protective instincts, refused to let the children enter the foster care system, asserting their safety within her home. The police officer, familiar with Chiasson’s professional background, vouched for her, and the children remained with their grandmother. Their mother did not return for two weeks, and after a brief visit, it was months before she saw them again.
Chiasson gained custody of the children, then aged 8, 6, and 4. Now 24, 22, and 21, they have also faced the loss of their father to addiction. While initially angry and disillusioned by her daughter’s addiction, Chiasson’s professional training instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and understanding for those battling substance use.
The sudden responsibility of caring for three young children presented immediate hurdles. Chiasson’s apartment did not permit children, but her landlord, understanding the situation, allowed them to stay.
Financial assistance for beds or other necessities was non-existent, leaving Chiasson to navigate the challenges alone. The housing market in the Yukon proved to be a significant obstacle, with exorbitant rental prices making it nearly impossible to find suitable accommodation.
Fortunately, Habitat for Humanity arrived in the region, and Chiasson was accepted into their program, where she and her grandchildren have resided for 13 years.
The small, interconnected nature of the Yukon community also makes it difficult for individuals struggling with addiction to seek help privately, often leading to people falling through the cracks.
In the midst of these ongoing challenges, Chiasson recently took in a fourth grandchild, a 9-year-old sister to the older three, due to safety concerns. This has added another layer of complexity to their household, requiring Chiasson to balance the needs of a young child with those of her adult and near-adult grandchildren.
The long-term commitment to raising her grandchildren has impacted Chiasson’s relationships with her other children and their families, as her energy and time were fully dedicated to her immediate dependents. Financial strain is a constant, with high living costs and utilities in the Yukon.
Despite the housing crisis making it difficult for her older grandchildren to move out, they are thriving. The two eldest work full-time, and all have graduated, with the oldest achieving honors. Chiasson is also dedicated to ensuring they maintain their First Nations heritage.
Reflecting on her journey, Chiasson affirms she would do it all again. “We’re just making it work,” she states, emphasizing the open and honest relationship she shares with her grandchildren. She hopes to instill in them the value of perseverance, noting, “I want the kids to know that they have a grandma who doesn’t quit on anything.”
As Chiasson’s health begins to decline, the family acknowledges the need for mutual support. Her eldest grandson has humorously pledged assistance, as long as it doesn’t involve diaper changes. Chiasson recognizes that should she need to stop working, her children and remaining daughters would need to step up to help maintain their home.
Chiasson’s granddaughter, Sierra, expressed immense gratitude for being raised by her grandmother, highlighting the unique privilege of being nurtured by an older generation. She acknowledged missing out on typical childhood experiences with her biological parents but cherishes her grandmother’s unwavering presence as her biggest cheerleader.
Chiasson’s story underscores the growing number of grandparents taking on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren, advocating for family-centered care over institutional solutions, prioritizing the mental health and well-being of children above all else.