By: Sabrina Peters
Grandparents are natural storytellers, carriers of family heritage and values that give children a sense of connection to their roots.
Studies show that children who understand more about their family history are often more resilient and adaptable. Emory University’s “Do You Know?” study found that kids who know their family stories have higher self-esteem and better coping skills during life’s ups and downs.
These shared stories and traditions foster a child’s sense of identity, connecting them to their past and helping them feel anchored. As Joyce Allston put it, “Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child’s growth as vitamins.” Through everyday interactions—be it a shared recipe, family story, or a valuable life lesson—grandparents help instill values that stay with children as they grow.
Cognitive Growth and Curiosity
Grandparents also have the potential to inspire learning in a unique way, sparking curiosity through their life stories, hobbies, and experiences. A study published in The Gerontologist found that children who interact with their grandparents regularly often demonstrate stronger cognitive skills. By encouraging activities like nature walks, storytelling, or exploring family history, grandparents help foster a child’s intellectual curiosity in an engaging, relaxed way.
As one anonymous writer put it, “A grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher, and a little bit best friend.”
Takeaways for Parents
Encourage Regular Connection
Building a routine of calls, visits, or shared activities helps foster strong bonds, providing children with consistent love and a steady presence in their lives.
Celebrate Family Stories and Traditions
Encourage grandparents to share family history and cherished traditions, enriching your child’s sense of identity and resilience as they connect to their heritage.
Embrace Intergenerational Differences
Help children appreciate the unique experiences and perspectives that grandparents bring, nurturing their sense of empathy and understanding of different worldviews.
Support Learning Through Play
Allow grandparents to engage in relaxed, unstructured play with your child, whether through crafts, gardening, or simple games. These shared activities help children develop social skills and curiosity in a nurturing setting.
When Relationships Are Complex
It’s important to acknowledge that, for some families, grandparent relationships may come with complexities or past wounds. If a relationship is fractured or if a grandparent’s involvement may not be healthy for a child, it’s okay to approach these relationships with caution. Not every grandparent relationship can be a source of unconditional support or joy. When patterns of behaviour are toxic or boundary-crossing, protecting your child from potential harm is entirely appropriate and, in many cases, essential.
The goal is to allow positive, nurturing relationships that genuinely enrich a child’s life, which sometimes means setting healthy boundaries with grandparents if their influence isn’t supportive. This approach allows parents to focus on relationships that foster safety and growth for the child, ensuring that the legacy of family connection remains positive. In this way, you’re prioritising your child’s wellbeing, offering them a sense of connection that’s both nourishing and beneficial.
Grandparents offer a legacy of love, wisdom, and strength that can leave an indelible mark on a child’s heart.
By encouraging these connections, parents give their children the gift of knowing they’re part of something bigger—a family that values, loves, and supports them. For grandparents who step into this role with patience and an open heart, the impact is lasting and deeply meaningful, creating cherished memories and bonds that last a lifetime.
About the Author: About the author: Sabrina is a pastor and a psychologist who is dedicated to helping people experience wholeness and growth. Passionate about building healthy families, she spend her days raising kids, supporting clients, and creating resources that inspire freedom and hope.
Article supplied with thanks to Sabrina Peters.
Feature image: Photo by OPPO Find X5 Pro on Unsplash