"The household also includes Martinez's best friend of more than three decades, who originally moved in for a few months after a divorce. That was 25 years ago. I could not have raised my daughter as a single mother without her, Martinez says. When her friend, now aged 79, was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years after moving in, the arrangement became permanent. There was no point in her leaving, she says. By then she was an integral part of our household."
"How many grandparents can say they get to hold their grandchild every day? she says. It's a blessing. While the house can be busy and hectic, it's also a lot of fun and Martinez says having multiple adults around makes life easier emotionally and practically. There's always someone to say: are you OK? Is there something you need? she says. You don't have that if you live alone."
Martinez, 65, lives in Atlanta in a household spanning four generations: her 90-year-old disabled mother, Martinez, her 25-year-old daughter, and a three-month-old granddaughter. A close friend of over 30 years moved in after a divorce and became a permanent household member following a breast cancer diagnosis; she serves as an aunt figure to Martinez's children and grandchildren. Martinez's daughter moved back while pregnant earlier this year, allowing grandparents daily contact with the newborn. The household offers practical and emotional support, shared responsibilities, and companionship, making busy household life manageable, keeping residents connected, and providing mutual care that Martinez values highly.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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