The Role of Grandparents in Child's Wellbeing

Although we live in an unpredictable world, where families and relationships break. Kids even have to live away from their mother or father. Well, nobody underestimates the significance of parents for a child’s wellbeing. However, the importance of grandparents is often underestimated in this regard. The fact, science proves, is that the child’s having grandparents perform much better than those who don’t have grandparents.

A plethora of studies conducted in this respect proves that kids living with grandparents outdo other kids both in happiness and health. Additionally, grandparents can provide greater time for a baby. Kids rising is not easy for a newly couple, but with grandparents, it can become much easier. Above all, they are experienced.

Here is a list that enumerates 15 reasons why grandparents can make a better impact on kids. This is a humble try to appreciate these old gems.

• Life Lessons

Grandparents having lived a big period, have a lot of experience and insight into the life and the world. They can transfer their life experiences to children. The lessons they are able to teach the kids are lessons of their lifetime.

• Kids are happier with grandparents

Not only it remains a common observation but it has become a scientific reality that kids living with their grandparents are happier as per the researcher Jeffery Stoke of the Gerontologist. Moreover, both the grandparents and children benefit from each other especially, the depression signs diminish due to this relationship.

• Grandparents are sympathetic

Childs when getting angry with the parents, they need some solace and grandparents provide them what they need. Crying and complaining is a kid’s way of life, and grandparents are good at listening to them. Moreover, they can help parents and kids with their good advice.

• Link to history

Old people are more attached to their family history. So, if the child is attached to grandparents, he gets a link with his family history. And the great achievement of one’s ancestors can motivate him to emulate them.

• A Mutually beneficial relation

Many researches prove that kids living with grandparents are healthier and happier, similarly, grandparents also enjoy being with their grandkids. Even grandparents who babysit kids tend to live longer as per researches.

• Kids Learn Good humor

Age has severe impacts on the mind and body. Old men often forget things, sleep more and talk more. They joke about themselves and know the fragility of life. Kids can learn to not take things too seriously from their grandparents.

• Grandparents Can be great companions

Grandparents can be great friends of their grandkids. Naturally, in this age man develops an affinity towards the child. Old people better understand children and are not strict towards them like parents.

• Grandparents are great mentors

Yes, grandparents can be great mentors. They are more insightful about the intricacies of life than the younger lot. They can teach kids moral principles and values.

• Grandparents can teach dress code

The older generation was much sophisticated and conscious about dress codes unlike us. We prefer casuals whereas they preferred formal and classy. So, they can impart a good dressing sense to the child.

• They Provide Support in case of any emergency

It is great if you have somebody to fall back upon during hard times. The hard times for kids are when parents are divorced or no more in the world. Grandparents in this scenario take the responsibility and leave no stone unturned to look after them

• They take care of kids need

Grandparents are extremely caring and loving. They provide everything to kid. If you hand over your child to them, be rest assured your child is having everything he needs.

• Grandparents better engage with kids

As per AGA, being grandparent is the most important thing in their life according to 72 percent grandparents. They take part in every activity the child wants. They play with them, provide them and teach them.

• The value of time

The older people tend to value time, They know how quickly time goes. Therefore, they can teach grandkids about the importance of time.

• Grandparents learn from kids

Since each day brings something new. The grandparents can learn a lot of things such as new technology and fashion trends and other things from kids. This is a two-way activity. It can make kids learn more.

• Selfless love

They love selflessly and unconditionally. They have no other thing more valuable than their grandkids and their happiness.

Our grandparents are an important part of our family. They love us selflessly, tirelessly and endlessly. We should value them unless it is too late. It not only gives them happiness but also us.

Works Cited

1. Smith, J. (2020). The Role of Grandparents in Child Development: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Family Studies, 26(3), 345-361. doi:10.1080/13229400.2019.1706273
2. Brown, E., & Scott, J. (2018). The Importance of Grandparental Involvement in Children's Lives: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 16(2), 199-219. doi:10.1080/15350770.2018.1451974
3. Hall, M. A., & Gleason, M. E. J. (2017). The Role of Grandparents in the Lives of Youth. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(1), 79-83. doi:10.1177/0963721416673122
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