Grandparents still give the gifts of example and unconditional love. They fill a variety of roles in families.
Grandparents provide unconditional love that helps children develop self-worth. It has been proven that children are positively impacted by interaction with their grandparents. Grandchildren treasure time spent with their grandparents, and they are emotionally healthier because of these relationships.
One way grandparents can demonstrate their care and love is by spending extra time with the grandchild. In spending this time together, grandparents can be a role model for their grandchildren, helping the younger generation learn about their family’s values, customs, beliefs and attitudes. Grandchildren can even learn manners from watching their grandparents.
Grandparents can also help young people learn about aging. Sometimes children can have a very negative view of aging. When their grandparents approach life with a positive outlook and a good sense of humor, those children learn that growing older might not be so scary.
Grandparents can also be sources of fun projects as they do leisure activities and hobbies with their grandchildren. Grandparents also can teach their grandchildren as the free time many have in retirement can be filled with many educational activities and good conversations.
Grandparents can be peacemakers in the family. They can sometimes be the mediator and the problem-solver between children and parents. This can be a very difficult and delicate job, but the grandparent can sometimes play this role because of their problem-solving skills and distance from the problem.
In many families, a grandparent is the adult a child feels most comfortable talking to and sharing troubles or worries.
Grandparents tend to be good historians for the family, serving as sources of information on previous and current generations.
Grandparents can provide the reason and history behind family customs. A shared family history can be an important part of strengthening family ties.
When families come together for socializing or in daily life, grandparents can use those times to do what they do best.