I'm 70 and raising my 7-year-old grandson. I have faith everything will work out, but I may never retire.

Ruth Olinger (center) has raised dozens of foster children and is now parenting her grandson.

Ruth Olinger Ruth Olinger, 70, is raising her grandson in Florida, highlighting the challenges of grandparenting.

Olinger, who fostered 51 children, faces financial strain after five-figure costs.

Olinger said that while they don't have everything they want, they have everything they need.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ruth Olinger, 70, who is raising her grandson on her own in Lakeland, Florida.

Olinger had earlier fostered dozens of children and did mission work.

Now, Olinger said she can't retire and pays over $10,000 for her son's day care.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I was raised by my grandparents .

My grandmother had rheumatoid arthritis, so my grandfather did the cooking and cleaning.

She was bedridden for 16 years, and I would take care of her.

He had a stroke one day, and he was never the same.

We were then placed in foster care when I was 8, and my brother was 10.

We were separated after three months.