Grandparents have played a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren for thousands of years. In cultures around the world, legends abound about the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. And it’s not surprising! These two generations are linked in a unique and special way.
The latest research shows how important it is for children to develop close relationships with their grandparents. In fact, raising children close to their grandmothers and grandfathers is a great benefit for both children and grandparents. Here are a few :
Children raised near their grandparents suffer from lower rates of depression
Between 1985 and 2004, more than 350 grandparents and 350 of their adult grandchildren were interviewed as part of an ongoing study. Research has found that children who have developed a strong emotional bond with grandmothers and grandfathers have much lower rates of depression in adulthood than those who have not. In addition, grandparents involved in the study and having a close relationship with their grandchildren were also less depressed. A separate study found that children aged 11 to 16 who had good relations with their grandparents were also less prone to depression.
Children who have a strong bond with their grandparents have a higher emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the name given by psychologists to the ability to capture and act appropriately on the emotional signals of others. It also refers to being aware of your own emotions. People with high emotional intelligence are even more likely to succeed in their lives and find happiness than those with higher IQs. Children develop their emotional intelligence by interacting with people of different origins and generations, so imagine the opportunity you give them when they spend quality time with their grandparents.
Grandparents also enjoy a healthy relationship with their grandchildren
Grandparents who spend time with their grandchildren tend to become more and more loving and affectionate over the years. This is especially true for grandfathers. Although studies indicate that grandmothers generally have a closer and more affectionate role to their grandchildren than grandfathers, over time they can quickly catch up. In fact, according to one study, after reaching the age of 60 or 70, grandfathers begin to play a greater role in their grandchildren by becoming more involved in their lives.
A healthy relationship between grandparents and grandchildren can have an impact on longevity
One of the surprising results of research on the grandchild-grandparent relationship is its impact on a grandparent’s lifespan. According to the study, those who invest more in their relationship with their grandchildren lived on average longer.
This was especially true for people who regularly took care of their grandchildren and who kept them without any responsibility for education. Research conducted on 500 grandparents over the age of 70 showed that those who did not often care for their grandchildren were at higher risk of death.
The experts attributed the longevity of the grandparents involved to the mental stimulation and sense of need they feel when they take care of their grandchildren.
Other advantages
- Grandparents can say things that parents can not
- They are great storytellers
- They use their parenting experiences to interact with their grandchildren
- They can give them exclusive attention
In the end, the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is one of the most important of all human relationships. Do not deprive them of the good times they should spend together.
