The Bond Between Grandparents And Grandchildren Brings Health Benefits For Both, Study Reveals

Aug 12, 2019 by apost team

Many parents now work full-time while trying to raise a family. For some households, dual incomes are a necessity. We are seeing more and more grandparents who are essentially raising their grandchildren as the parents go off to work. Sometimes, this “intrusion” can be annoying, especially when the grandparents like to say that they always know what is best for the child.

If you are a parent who may be having doubts about letting your own parents help raise your child, let’s take a look at some reasons why grandparents should remain in the picture as much as possible.

To start, grandparents are great for your health. Various social and cultural situations have played a part in strengthening the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. Many studies look at the bond between the two and the welfare of the children.

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Prof. Shalhevet Attar-Schwartz and Prof. Ann Buchanan conducted a study that proved that kids are better socially and mentally when their grandparents have frequent and loving connections with them. This close bond can actually protect the grandchildren from developmental problems while boosting their cognitive and social abilities. According to Dr. Eirini Flouri, Co-investigator of the study, close relationships will help buffer the effects of difficult life events, such as parental separation. This is because the grandparents can help keep the children calm.

Experts are quick to point out that it isn’t enough to just be close to your grandchildren. You also have to be involved with them. In England and Wales, 1,596 children were analyzed in a study. Different aspects were evaluated, such as the age of the children, the grandparent’s age, the socioeconomic status of the two, and the level of closeness.

The study also conducted 40 in-depth interviews with children who came from different backgrounds. These surveys showed how important the bond between grandchildren and grandkids is, especially since maternal grandmothers provide about a third of regular care for their grandkids. About 40% provided occasional help with babysitting services.

The study was done mostly on kids that were close to becoming teenagers. It found that, contrary to popular belief, these kids typically have a satisfying and loving relationship with their grandparents. One reason may be due to the fact that grandparents often have more time to offer their grandkids than parents. Many kids also find their grandparents easier to talk to than their parents. However, the study stated that emotional closeness is just not enough: grandparents should try hard to be as involved in their education and life choices as they can be.

This type of relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren can also help when the children become adults. A recent study found that grandparents who play an active role in the lives of their grandchildren enjoy better overall health. This is especially true for grandmothers. The study also highlighted the importance of allowing the grandparents to lead a life that isn’t filled with worries and responsibilities, as this could lead to depression and anxiety.

This particular research studied the data of 6,567 men and 8,972 women, all 50-years-old or older, who had at least one grandchild at the beginning of the study. The study took place over a period of five years.

Were you very close to your grandparents growing up? What kind of relationship do your kids have with their grandparents? Let us know your thoughts and stories in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to others.