Jennifer Hulsey
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Jennifer Hulsey. I’m 47 years old and have lived in Owensboro my whole life. I’m married to Greg and have been for 25 years. I am a stay-at-home Nana and have been for the past 10 years.
Tell us about your grandchildren.
We have four grandchildren and have custody of our oldest, Liberty. We have had her since she was 5 years old and have had custody since last year. Liberty is 10 years old and a true blessing to us.
How did you come to raise your granddaughter?
Her mother is my daughter and has had a long, hard road, but is now trying to get her life back on track. Liberty has always been with us and we wouldn’t have it any other way. She is in the fourth grade at Meadow Lands Elementary and an A/B honor roll student. She is a bright, beautiful, sweet and special young lady. We have a very close relationship with her as if she was our own child.
What is the best piece of parenting advice you have to offer?
My advice to other grandparents would be just try and show all the love you can to all of them and pray—that’s what I do!
What is your greatest challenge?
Raising a grandchild is very rewarding and hard at the same time. It’s not hard because of her being here. It’s hard because our other grandchildren get jealous and don’t understand a lot — like why does she have her own room, why does she live with us. They don’t understand that she is now like our child.
How do you balance your role as grandmother and guardian? Is it difficult to be the parent to a grandchild?
Being a parent to a grandchild is really not that hard. Liberty looks at us as her mom and dad because we have raised her, but she also knows who her parents are.
What’s the hardest part and what’s the best part of raising your granddaughter?
Sometimes I think, geez, I’m tired and wonder why I’m going through all of this. But then I remember God never gives you more than you can handle, so I keep going. Liberty looks at me and says, “Nana, I love you to the moon and back and you are my best friend.” That right there, that makes it all worth it. The bond we have is unbreakable and a very special one! We wouldn’t trade it for anything.