6. Adding extra support
Grandparents help to support a family, especially in times of crisis. A study at The University of Oxford found grandparents are particularly crucial supporters during divorce or separation. In addition, many children in the study were found to have fewer emotional and behavioral problems due to the added support of a grandparent.
7. Love of the job
It’s a bit of cliché to say grandparents love being grandparents, but it often seems to be true. According to a 2004 study, 53% of individuals surveyed said they were “very satisfied” with their role of grandparent, and another 41% said they were “satisfied.” It’s hard to beat those numbers!
8. Good behavior
Most grandparents take their job seriously (as seen in the previous paragraph). This means they really want to be a good role model for their grandchildren, as they know the seriousness of their position in the family. When you leave your child with your parent, you can usually assume they’ll both be on their best behavior!
9. Fast friendship
Grandparents and grandchildren usually find it easy to become friendly with one another. Many children even consider a grandparent to be more of a friend than a parent, as the latter needs to lay down the law more often. Being able to foster an intergenerational friendship is especially meaningful for young children who learn the value of this kind of connection early on.
10. A two-way street
Although most of the focus here is on grandparents providing benefits to children, the reverse is also true. Being around your children will keep your parents and parents-in-law feeling young, needed and involved. These effects will, in turn, benefit your elderly relatives when it comes to both physical and mental wellbeing, especially when the relationship between them and their grandchildren is positive.
So, there you have it. Nana and Pop-Pop are actually two of the best people on the planet to spend time with your kids. And not just because they might offer to babysit more often, which would give you a little personal time; that’s just icing on the cake.
RESOURCES THE GERONTOLOGIST, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD, AND THE JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY
