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Grandparents' Mental Health May Benefit From BabysittingResearch shows that grandparents who spend one day of the week with their grandkids are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Those who count on their own parents to take care of the kids when they're away at work (or just in need of couple time) can stop feeling guilty. The benefits of grandparents spending time with apos may extend past happiness and emotional well-being. Research shows that spending time with grandkids help keep lola mentally sharp, too.
Published in the journal Menopause in 2014, the study found that menopausal women who spend time caring for their grandkids had lower risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders. Great news for families whose kids love spending the weekend at lola’s house, right?
The study, conducted by researchers for the Women’s Health Aging Project in Australia, involved 186 women between 57 to 68 years old (120 of which were grandmothers) who were asked to take tests to assess their cognitive abilities.
Researchers found that the grandmothers who spent time with their grandkids once a week scored the highest on the tests. But too much can be a bad thing--the grandmothers who were asked to babysit for five days or more a week scored significantly lower. They also found that grandmothers who helped out more felt that their own children--the parents of the kids--were asking too much of them and their time, which could have an impact on their brain functions.ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWCONTINUE READING BELOWRecommended Videos
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The takeaway? Let the kids spend time with lola but don’t treat her like a free babysitter. And, since Grandparent’s Day is only a few weeks away (it's on September 11), as way of saying thank you for all that she’s done, treat her to a wonderful day out. Here are a few suggestions on where to go and what to do:
1. Watch a silent film at the International Silent Film Festival 2016
These silent films accompanied by live musical performances are a treat. See the festival schedule here.
2. Eat out at a restaurant with dishes she’ll love
There’s nothing more comforting as sitting down at a table filled with beloved Filipino dishes and your family by your side. Call it a family date and go to a cozy and quiet restaurant away from noisy diners. Check out this list of 10 Best Filipino Restaurants in Manila by Spot.ph.
3. Go to a park
Doesn’t a picnic sound nice? Take lola on leisurely stroll through nature and have a picnic beneath the shade of a tree. The kids can run around all they want in the open space while the grownups sit and chat. Here’s a list of family-friendly parks in the metro from TripZilla.
Sources: CBS News, Women'sDayADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
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