Grandparents undeniably possess magical powers. In the eyes of their grandchildren, they’re often the ones to go for twice the fun and half the rules, and usually have some kind of treat hiding somewhere.
Every family is different, but for those lucky enough to have grandparents, the bond that forms between grandparent and grandchild is often unique.
On Sunday, Sept. 10, about 80 million American grandparents—more than a third of the adult population—will be in the spotlight for National Grandparents Day.
This is a day to honor biological grandparents as well as “grandfriends” and other senior mentors who play a special role in the lives of younger people, and society as a whole.
What’s so special? Over a 19-year period, Boston College researchers studied the relationship between grandparents and adult grandchildren and found that close ties reduced symptoms of depression in both groups.
In general, contact with the younger generation keeps older adults tuned into new ideas, and stories about life experiences help grandchildren navigate the stresses of life.
Research also shows that as many as nine out of 10 adult grandchildren feel their grandparents have greatly influenced their values and behaviors. An AARP survey indicated that 78 percent of grandparents are comfortable giving advice and discussing values with their grandkids.
In fact, many consider the sharing of experiences and knowledge as their primary responsibly as a grandparent.
Strong grandparent-grandchild bonds are also linked to positive behaviors that include less emotional and behavioral problems in children. And on the other side of the relationship, grandparents who spend time with grandchildren perform better on cognitive tests than those who don’t.
Suffice to say it’s important to encourage intergenerational bonding, though admittedly, this is easier said than done for many. Some families live close enough to make face-time between grandparents and grandchildren a regular occurrence.
If grandparents live in proximity, a great way to nurture a close bond between grandparents and grandkids are occasional sleepovers—spending the night with grandma and grandpa can be a fun way of developing independence and confidence in younger children.
If miles make the relationship more challenging, there are still many ways of bridging the generational and geographical gap. Creating and maintaining an ongoing connection is the heart of any good relationship, and regularly sending cards, emails or connecting face-to-face over Skype and Facetime can bring families separated by distance closer.
Whether you’re near or far from grandparents and grandfriends on National Grandparents Day, make it a point to connect with your loved ones in celebration of this commemoration.
Maureen Gardner is executive director at Wingate Residences at Brewster Place.