And Then There Were Four

A Grandmother Stands In for Parents

A film by Leah Bell

The incidence of grandparents raising their grandchildren as primary caregivers has increased 30 percent since 2000. This film depicts such a situation as we see the daily life of a frail 77- year-old grandmother who is raising four grandsons aged 5-8. The children are from an interracial marriage and neither parent is involved in their care. They had been parceled out to foster homes and the grandmother wanted to keep them together.

When they first arrived, the lively brothers had trouble with authority, were disrespectful of each other and were behind in learning. Love and consistent discipline has made a big difference in their adjustment to school and their new home. Their grandmother has had some help from a network of relatives, but it is clear that she is the main source of strength. She rises at 5 a.m to give them breakfast and often stays up past midnight to do the house work. Yet as she ages, how will she continue to care for them if her health fails and her resources dwindle?

20 min. Video or DVD. Sale $195. Video rental $50

First Place, documentary category, NextFrame Festival, 2005

“We see a myriad of social, health and economic problems far too complicated for any quick fixes” Mary Waterman, Community Liason and Educational Chairperson, Choice