The important role of grandparents in your family

Parents and grandparents; full of wisdom, knowledge, and experience. Where would we be without them? 

We probably don’t even realise how much we really rely on our elderly parents as we age and the important role they play in our lives as well as our children’s lives as grandparents. They are caregivers, teachers, mentors, and financial support, showing us how to be parents to our children. 

It might seem that our parents can relax once we become adults, but they step into another vital role; the grandparent. 

The role of grandparents

They teach and impart wisdom to your children as they share the wealth of knowledge they have learned over the years. 

Grandparents help guide your children through life, teaching them right from wrong and instilling family values and traditions. 

They encourage and support your children to be ambitious and dream big. 

Often, grandparents provide a safe place for grandchildren away from their parents. It is a place where they feel safe, secure and loved.

They become best friends with your children. They can create a strong bond by being a role model as well as a friend who will do activities with them such as playing games, sports and reading. 

They are the best babysitters or childminders you could ever want. Most of them will have a more flexible schedule as they begin to take a step back from work or retire. In particular, over the summer holidays, they might be helping more with the childcare of their grandchildren whilst you work.

They sometimes even support us and our children financially, if needed. 

Nothing is too much to ask.

How can you look after your elderly parent?

Whilst your parent is busy taking on extra responsibilities as a grandparent, we must remember them and their well-being.

With age, they may become more vulnerable as their health deteriorates and become fragile. They also may become lonely as they age and perhaps become less active than they once were. 

There are many things you can do to help support an elderly parent, just as much as they have helped you and your children through your lives:

Activities to get active 

Why not encourage them to get active? It doesn’t have to be anything too strenuous. There are a lot of low-impact sports that can be great for achieving an active lifestyle as they age. Check out some of our low-impact sports suggestions. 

Join a club/community centre

It might be a local walking group or book club. Something that helps get them out of the house and do something they love that is just for them. It also helps to combat loneliness and meet new people in a social environment. 

Approach the topic

If you notice that they are struggling a bit more than usual at home, such as reduced mobility or forgetting to take their medication, it’s probably time to initiate a discussion. Our parent’s pride might cloud their view on their own health or well-being, however, if they do look after the grandchildren regularly, this might be a good way to open the conversation. If you take the focus away from their health and more on the safety and security of their grandchildren, this might help remove the element of pride, and they may be more understanding and accepting of their situation. Here is some guidance on things to think about if you are planning to have that conversation. Read now.