Grandmother steps in to raise grandsons in North Carolina

Kathy Davidson, 61, in North Carolina, is raising her two grandsons, ages 8 and 11, after their mother faced challenges and relinquished custody.

Davidson receives $997 monthly in disability benefits due to a back and shoulder injury sustained while working in construction and hotel housekeeping. Her husband, 66, earns $615 weekly as an electrician, and together they provide a stable home for the boys despite financial difficulties.

The grandsons came into Davidson’s care because of unsafe living conditions and medical issues. Their mother struggled with substance use and faced legal issues, ultimately granting Davidson custody through a notarized document and later a court decision. The couple chose to raise the children themselves rather than involve the foster care system, drawing on Davidson’s husband’s experience raising his own children as a single parent. Raising the boys requires financial sacrifices, limiting the couple’s leisure activities.

They supplement their income with $236 monthly in child support per boy and rely on assistance from family, friends, and a local church clothing bank. Davidson prioritizes honesty and discipline, teaching her grandsons the importance of integrity and hard work. Both grandsons are on the autism spectrum, with the older boy also diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome and ADHD. Despite these challenges, both are achieving academic success, making the honor roll.

Davidson focuses on building their confidence and encouraging them to believe in their potential, even as she worries about the social challenges of middle school.