Eating Disorders, Chronic Illness and the Kinship Caregiver

Are you a grandparent shouldering the daily stress of raising your grandchildren while quietly navigating your own chronic pain or health challenges? Is the health of the kinship caregiver your top priority? Have you found yourself getting up at 3am to manage family needs, only to realize your own body is running on empty? Do you feel guilty for putting your medical needs last while caring for kids who have experienced trauma—kids who might be battling their own struggles with body image or eating? In this space, we tackle these heavy realities head-on, focusing deeply on the vital connection between Eating Disorders and Kinship Caregiver Health.You’re doing the heart-work. We’re here to help you lead with love—without losing yourself in the process.After becoming a kinship caregiver, I learned how easy it is to sacrifice your health for the sake of stability at home. In our community, we rarely talk about how stress, medical trauma, and the demands of caregiving can lead to disordered eating, body image struggles, or emotional burnout. But ignoring our own well-being puts our families at risk—if the kinship CEO crashes, the whole organization feels the fallout.In this episode, Tamie Gangloff, unpacks how chronic illness and eating disorders intersect—both for grandparents and the kids in our care. We'll share practical steps for self-advocacy with medical providers, tips for re-centering your health in the midst of chaos, and gentle daily reminders that nurture compassion for yourself. For more information about Tamie visit her website and don't forget to download her "medical appointment planning worksheet" here!Send us Fan MailRethink the child welfare system—what if the real issue isn’t funding, but the questions we ask? If you’re passionate about social justice, child welfare, or systemic reform—this episode will challenge your perspective and inspire new ways to advocate for change. Join us in shifting the focus from crisis management to family-centered solutions. Reshape the future of child welfare—listen now.  In this special pre-roll segment, I’m sharing a moving letter from a member of our community, Laurel. Her story of loss, resilience, and raising her grandson after the unthinkable is a raw reminder that none of us are walking this path alone.We want to hear from you. If Laurel’s story resonates with you, or if you have a journey of your own to share, join our private community. Your story might be the exact lifeline someone else needs to hear today. Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined.Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences.We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook