“It has been an added blessing to have him,” said Marcie Knoll, who became a grandmother when her daughter Chelsi Valdez became a single mother at 17. More than 2 million grandparents in America provide basic care to one or more of their grandchildren and 6.7 million grandparents have grandchildren, who are under the age of 18, living with them, according to a 2009 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey. While Knoll does not raise her grandson, she has provided supported for her daughter and grandchild. “No way I could have done it without my family,” Valdez said. Valdez was a junior in high school when she found out she was pregnant. Valdez said her son was born in July 2006 and a month later she started her senior year. She said she was able to spend time with her son by having him in the day care that Moscow’s high school has. Valdez, former Seward County student who is currently a junior attending Kansas State University in Manhattan, is working on earning her secondary education and math degree, while her son, Aiden, lives with his father and the father’s family. “Probably the hardest decision I ever made,” Valdez said on going away to school. “Every decision I make I have to think how it will affect him.” She said she was able to make the decision with a lot of discussion and research. “I talked to my family a lot, his dad and his family,” Valdez said on her decision. “It was a better deal for him and everyone involved to let him stay.” Valdez said after she is done with school she would live wherever she can get a job. “He will go wherever I go,” Valdez said. Knoll said whenever it is your grandchild and your child you do whatever you can to be successful and not question. The reaction of Knoll is one that is expected. “I was a little disappointed because that changed her plans … goals,” Knoll said. However, Valdez’s pregnancy had an unexpected outcome. “We were pretty close, and I think we even more close,” Knoll said about the affect of Valdez’s pregnancy. Knoll said she and her daughter discussed the options available. “I told her whatever she wanted to do, I would support her in it,” Knoll said she told her daughter. The grandmother said having her grandson has been a positive experience. “I don’t know any negative,” Knoll said. “At first, I thought I was too young.” Knoll said she had people talk to her about their own experiences with teen pregnancy. She found out that they survived and were fine. In the long run, it was good to have her grandson while she was young, Knoll said, because she was still young and could be active with him. “It was a surprise when it happened, definitely,” Knoll said. “Overall it was a positive experience.” Knoll said she was glad she could help out her with her grandson. Valdez said she is happy with her decision to finish college, even though at times it is difficult and she has doubts. She said her mom reminds her that she deserves to get her college education and it will better for Aiden. “I still think it was a good decision,” Valdez said. Valdez explains her dreams for her future, which includes having more stable life for him. “I am hoping that I can get through my last couple of years quickly, so I can have him back with me,” Valdez said.