AN INCREASING number of the Tweed's grandparents are raising their grandchildren.

A forum addressing the trend was held at the Seniors' Expo last Thursday.

The one-hour forum, designed to let grandparents know where they can find help and information, was lead by Jan Fitzgerald, a peer educator from the Council on the Ageing (COTA).

COTA is an independent group which is run by and for seniors. It lobbies for police and others to help grandparents who are the carers of grandchildren.

Trish and Allan Gerber have raised their 17-year-old granddaughter since she was a baby.

"It hasn't always been easy," Mrs Gerber said.

"To start all over again as a senior citizen is hard.

"We were working full-time when we got custody of our grand-daughter."

Grandmother Ronni Hoskisson said she feared that "history would repeat itself".

"Unfortunately, one of the major reasons for grandparents raising their grandchildren is drug abuse," she said.

"It makes you question your parenting skills and fear that you may have failed in some way and could fail again.

"It takes a lot of courage, strength and faith in yourself.

"And a heck of a lot of energy."

Mr and Mrs Gerber said parenting the children gave them peace of mind.

"We know they are safe and secure because they are with us," they said.

"There's no worry about neglect or abuse.

"But it can be difficult on the grandchildren.

"Kids at school ask them why they aren't with their parents.

"It isn't cool to have "parents that are old and wrinkly.

"It makes them different from other kids and that can be hard."

Ms Hoskisson, parenting her five and seven-year-old grandchildren, said it ensured an "active retirement".

"It keeps you young at heart and fit," she said.

"But it's exhausting and full-on for someone my age," she said.