Grandparents today are taking a larger role in the lives of their grandchildren, sharing their worries and joys, giving them love and support, and helping out harried and exhausted parents.
With the retirement of the baby boomer generation, there are more grandparents than ever — an estimated 70 million in the U.S. Compared to previous generations, today’s grandparents are generally younger, more active, and more affluent, allowing many to travel frequently to visit their kids and grandkids.
Millions of grandparents intentionally live close to their children and grandchildren so they can give much-needed help to working parents. This includes providing support for many of the estimated 21 million children being raised by 13.6 million single parents in the U.S.
When a single parent has to shoulder the load, or two parents both work full time, there are many practical ways grandparents can make their lives easier. These include providing childcare while parents work, transporting kids to and from school and appointments, attending school events and teacher conferences, and giving the parent or parents a much-needed break.
Many parents today raise their kids without much community support, or in the face of negative influences like poverty, gangs, crime, and drugs. And regardless of socio-economic status, all kids face challenges — some old, some new. Bullying existed when we were growing up, yet our generation did not have to cope with cyber-bullying. And while most of us dealt with cliques and gossip in school, we did not have to contend with the amplifying effect social media has on who feels “in” and who is “out.”
In a time when the worst kinds of negative influences are a click away for many kids, grandparents can provide love, support, and positive influences. We can help them weather peer pressure, bad media influences, discouragement, and difficult circumstances. Here are some ways you can show your grandkids you love them, care about them, and are there for them:
Some additional ways you can be a loving, involved grandparent for the kids in your life:
As a grandparent, you can be a wise friend, a playful elder, and the go-to person for your grandkids when their parents aren’t available. By spending time together and staying in touch, you can uplift them and give them a sense of safety and stability they need to thrive and grow.
About: Children’s advocate and author Robert Martin writes books with his granddaughter Keira Ely, including the bestsellers “The Case of the Missing Crown Jewels,” and “SuperClara — a Young Girl’s Story of Cancer, Bravery and Courage.” “SuperClara” was inspired by his other granddaughter (and Keira’s younger sister) Clara, who lost her courageous battle with brain cancer on Oct. 8, 2017. Robert founded the nonprofit Bridge to a Cure Foundation to tear down the deadly barriers impeding the timely development of pediatric cancer treatments and cures.