MUNCIE, Ind. -- When it comes to raising children, a second chance means a great deal to grandparents.

A Ball State University survey of 144 grandparents currently raising their grandchildren found that second-time parenting skills are different, emphasizing greater love and control.

"When grandparents are forced into the role of parent, they have many years of memories to draw upon," said Nancy Hoffman, a Ball State doctoral student who conducted the survey. "They have time to reflect, remembering what worked and what didn't work."

The survey found that 54 percent of second-time parents were raising grandchildren differently, as compared to 33 percent who said their tactics were the same. Thirteen percent did not answer the question.

"As individuals progress from being first-time parents to raising their grandchildren, they change the way they do things," Hoffman said. "They shift away from being low love/low control  towards being more authoritative, which includes higher love and more control.

"As grandparents grow older, they recognize there is an obligation to be more accepting," she said. "They recognize that children need love, but also need rules, limits and boundaries. The values haven't changed over the years, but the awareness of reaching those values has."

While a minority indicated that first-time parenting skills were still effective, potential problems are far different.

Grandparents often have to deal with children who have disabilities stemming from parental drug abuse, neglect and  physical abuse, said Hoffman, chair of the child development program at Ivy Tech State College in Muncie.

The study looked at what Hoffman described as a growing phenomena in the United States as drug/alcohol abuse destroys many families, shifting the responsibilities of raising youngsters to relatives.

According to the survey, grandparents said: while raising young children was a most difficult job, they would not trade the opportunity. They had in many cases freely chosen to assume the role, even though it was not expected or planned in later years. They assumed responsibility in the majority of cases when the parents encountered alcohol or drug problems.

Other reasons given include the parent or parents being too immature to assume responsibility, death or incarceration. They wanted to be present for the children, keep the family together and had feelings of love and concern for the children who could not be held responsible for their circumstances.

Support groups were a valuable resource in their second-time parenting experience.

There was an appreciation for school teachers and individuals from various social agencies who cared for the grandchildren and supported them during the second-time parenting process.

The legal system is a major concern because of the fear that the courts can take grandchildren away, sending them back to unfit parents.

"Overall, grandparents are deeply grateful to have an opportunity, no matter if they are single or if there are financial problems, Hoffman said. "They look at others experiencing this same phenomenon and realize that the situation could be much worse. For the most part, they chose to see the positives and be appreciative."