What Kids Can Learn from Grandparents
We all know grandparents love spending time with their grandchildren. Holding the child of your child is something indescribably life changing. Not only is it affirmation that you have somehow done something right and that your child is now going to become you, but it is a miracle. It’s also an enriching experience for the youngsters physically, emotionally, mentally and socially.
Grandparents can actually increase your children’s emotional intelligence, which is so important now. Raising emotionally well-adjusted kids is our goal, and grandparents can assist with this. Research has found that children who spend more time with their grandparents are at a reduced risk for having emotional and behavioral issues compared to children who do not have grandparents involved in their lives. This is particularly true for adolescents from divorced or separated families. So if you want a happy child, invite Grandpa over for s’mores!
Little ones may innately fear the elderly, which contributes to ageism. Studies show that children as young as 3 exhibit negative attitudes toward older people. Having Grandma and Grandpa around can reduce these feelings.
Children learn that happiness is easy around grandparents. We parents often run on empty, desperate for a shower, a snack that doesn’t include Goldfish crackers or a moment alone in the bathroom. When grandparents do not live in the same house as their grandchildren, spending time together may feel extra special for both. Grandparents may also be retired and have more energy and patience when playing with younger children, which gives parents a great breather. Quality time with grandparents is a joyous win for all involved!
Grandparents encourage prosocial behaviors, making kids more sweet-natured and accepting. Grandparents’ financial and emotional support was shown to both improve their grandchild’s behavior and increase school engagement. A study focused on 10- to 14-year-olds living in both single and two-parent families. Grandparent involvement led to an increase in kind, empathetic behavior. A teenager who is considerate toward others is a reason to celebrate!
The power of true, unconditional love and connection in grandparent-grandchild relationships battles back against depressive symptoms in children and elderly people alike. Grandparents who took part in a study were found to be less depressed when they received or gave tangible help to their grandchildren. This includes rides to the store, advice on life or financial assistance. So, when Mom doesn’t have the answer, Facetime Grandma! It’s good for her mental health, and she will give you new perspective. And let’s face it, there is probably nothing you could throw grandparents’ way they haven’t seen before!
My family never lived close together, so several times a year we would travel to Texas to visit my mother’s parents. Those times rank highest on my memory list. Mamau was about four-foot-eleven and towered to me. She made the most amazing homemade everything, from meatloaf and mayo to cheesecake and bread. She spent “special” time with me in the mornings when we would go out into her backyard and pick tiny red peppers to put in a jar. I love hot sauce now because of her, and I can’t eat a meatloaf sandwich with a fresh tomato and mayo without being transported back in time. And Grandpa drove a Tom’s candy truck! He would let my sisters and me climb the steps inside and pick any candy we wanted. The hum of the window air conditioner in their house and the way I felt sitting at their melamine table, the crack of her spoon on the constant hot pan on Mamau’s gas stove, and the Velveeta box filled with coupons. Your little girl or boy will absorb experiences you can’t imagine if they are lucky enough to be around your parents. In their eyes, your kids are angels! ~ Judy Goppert
Many enjoy the rich stories grandparents tell, which helps your children understand where they came from. Helping kids understand the struggles and successes of the family helps them learn family history. And when they know the backstory, grandchildren will love and keep old heirlooms and photo albums, secret family recipes and neat treasures. This sharing helps keep grandparents’ memories alive, which for many older adults is so important. Every family is unique, and you may learn something yourself as parents that will connect you to your roots.
Beyond building family heritage, grandparents are the ultimate at cuddling! Nobody knows how to do this better than grandparents. A good hug makes people feel safe, supported and secure. It also releases oxytocin for both huggers. Talk about emotional medicine!
Often, as parents we don’t want to tell all the things we did in the past, but grandparents satisfy our kids’ natural curiosity about when, where and how their parents grew up. What were you like as a kid? What sports did you play? What was your favorite food? Grandma remembers vividly and can offer funny anecdotes, which are worth their weight in gold to kids, as this humanizes Mom and Dad. Also, these memories can connect your kids to their grandparents over story time.
Does Grandpa do woodworking? Does Grandma crochet or knit or cook? Because they started life long before their grandchildren, they thrill to teach them a new skill. Passing down these arts to kids helps keep traditions alive, and those skills are amazingly handy to have. Let your kids teach Grandma and Grandpa something new as well! For example, grandkids can walk their seniors through how to work their new iPhone!
For a grandparent, this new relationship means a second chance! Grandparents may have tried their hardest as parents, and now they get to know how to do things with a fresh new outlook. Also, spending time with grandchildren helps Grandma and Grandpa live longer. It gives them something to look forward to, and they will be great babysitters!
Grandkids can actually help their elders reach old age simply by being around. Studies have shown that those who babysit their grandkids have a 37% lower mortality rate compared to people of the same age who do not have consistent childcare duties assigned to their daily lives. This may be attributed to the fact that older people who care for younger children have a great sense of purpose, remain active with their fast kids and spend their days honing in on cognitive function and skill.
An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.
Sources: Family.LoveToKnow.com, FindContinuingCare.com