A recent study shows that grandparents that care for their grandchildren have a lower mortality risk (about 37%) than adults of the same age who doesn't. But now there is a new study that proves that it is also beneficial for the children! The kids who a close to their grandparents are happier and have less chance to be depressed in the future.
The research was done by the University of Oxford and shows that grandparents play an important role in the well-being of their grandchildren and have less emotional and behavioural problems.
These rewarding symptoms flow both ways, both the grandparents and grandchildren are less likely to be depressed when they are with each other! It's really a win-win situation.
In fact, the kids make the lives of their grandparents more joyful and active. In exchange, Grandmas get to nurture and Granddads get to mentor the kids.
It is important to clarify that the grandparents need to express that they want to be involved, otherwise it may stress them out, if they feel like they are not up to the task. Also, the study shows that the kids tend to drift away once they enter early adulhood, but they come back as they get older and start missing their grandparents again.
Do you have memories with your grandparents? If so, you probably treasure them and you have to make sure your kids do the same! It's good for them :-)
