The rise of grandfamilies also highlights another growing branch of America's changing family tree: The single parent household, overwhelmingly headed by mothers.

CNN: Economy sends more kids to grandma's house

Priory, 55, grew up in a single-parent household in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

FORBES: Trading places

Priory, 55, grew up in a single-parent household in Lakehurst, N.

FORBES: Trading Places

Stay-at-home parents should qualify for a new government program while they are raising young children--one that provides money for good food, as well as education on cooking, meal planning and shopping--so that one parent in a two-parent household, or a single parent, can afford to be home with the children and provide wholesome, healthy meals.

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One would think an extra income contributed by a grandparent joining the household would help single-parent or even double-parent families.

CNN: Economy sends more kids to grandma's house