I'm a single grandmother; I adopted my granddaughter, she'll turn 8 this month and I've had her since she was a baby. Actually, I'm a single mom/nana. Mom/nana because she calls me both, I answer to both.

Her biological mom, my daughter, used drugs throughout the pregnancy, mainly crystal methedrine. Liz, my daughter/grandaughter, was, of course, harmed by the drug use. Her biological father is also a drug addict. I usually refer to him as the "sperm donor"; while my daughter truly tried to stay sober and truly loved this baby and still has a heart/soul/spirit the biological father is empty, totally empty inside--nothing there. Liz does not have contact with either as they have repeatedly "stood her up" in the past. Over and over. The "sperm donor" would simply state "I forgot". The bio mom has extreme mental health problems due to the long term use of crystal methedrine; she becomes extremely paranoid/psychotic.

I'm 58 years old, single, not well off financially and tired. I've always described myself as an "old hippie" (but without the drug use). When taken from my daughter by Child Protective Services Liz was 7 months old. She was taken to Polinsky Center for Children on a Friday and I couldn't get her till Monday. I spent the whole weekend visiting her; I cried the entire weekend. My daughter was taken to jail for probation violation (dirty drug tests). Who knows where the sperm donor was.

The rest is history. My daughter did not get it together so she could have her baby back; I naively thought she would. I became Liz's mom; one does not allow an innocent child to bond with one's self and then abandon her.

My sweet Liz is ADHD. The child psychiatrist stated on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most ADHD, she is at least a 12. She is borderline Asperger's. She is also smart, creative and extremely loving. She is wonderful and precious.

I have so much to share about single grandparent/motherhood. Liz has taught me so much, I know all about Pokemons and how to play Nintendo DS and other more important stuff (of course, Pokemons and Nintendo are also important).

A year or so ago, while getting ready for school, I told Liz to put clean underwear on. That evening, when getting undressed for her bath, I noticed she had 2 pairs of underwear on. She had put the clean ones on over the dirty ones. I have learned to be very clear when giving instructions.

Now, I am very tired and must get sleep. My Liz needs a mom who is rested and ready to go.