Orlando, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Grandparents Day is Sunday, September 13th. More than 65 million Americans are grandparents, and AARP says they spend more than 500 hours a year caring for their grandchildren. Those hours are about more than babysitting for many families, they’re where family stories are told, traditions are passed down, and life lessons are shared. But we wondered if grandparents could leave their grandchildren with just one message, what would it be?
They’re the storytellers, the cookie bakers, the babysitters, the biggest cheerleaders, and for many kids’ grandparents are their first best friends.
Research shows these relationships shape more than childhood memories. Kids who are close to their grandparents tend to have better emotional well-being, stronger social skills, and fewer behavior problems. But we wondered what do kids wish they knew about their grandparents?
It turns out, this relationship changes grandparents too. Research shows grandparents who stay actively involved tend to be happier, healthier, less lonely and may even experience better cognitive health.
We often think there will always be another holiday, another visit, another chance to ask the questions we’ve been meaning to ask. This Grandparents Day maybe don’t wait. Just say it.
A recent survey found 64 percent of grandparents see their grandchildren at least once or twice a month. Grandparents who saw their grandkids more often were less likely to say they feel isolated.
Contributors to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
Sources:
https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/social-leisure/relationships/the-essential-role-of-grandparents
https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/social-leisure/relationships/aarp-grandparenting-study/
