Children love their mummies and daddies, there’s no doubt about it. The love and support of the adults who care for children most is vital to their lives and developmental journeys.
However, it’s important for children to have other relationships in their lives as well. Grandparents often play a wonderful, supportive role in children’s lives – and it’s a relationship that can be very special.
Children benefit from all healthy family relationships, and in the case of grandparents the relationship is mutually beneficial.
Health benefits of grandparent relationships
Facilitating positive relationships for children with their grandparents can build children’s resilience, create closer family bonds and improve their overall wellbeing.
For grandparents, the benefits are pretty incredible too. In fact, a 2016 study found that grandparents who look after their grandchildren regularly lived for around five years longer than non-caregiving grandparents! Supporting grandparent relationships is essential.
Creating strong bonds between grandparents and grandchildren
Sometimes these relationships just blossom, while other times grandparents may need some guidance and support from parents to find the sort of grandparent role they are comfortable with.
Here are some tips to help create strong bonds for grandparents and grandchildren:
-Encourage them to spend time together
-Support the relationship by finding shared interests they can enjoy together e.g. gardening, reading or music
-Use technology to build connections if distance is an issue
-Involve them in children’s lives and education, especially through events like Grandparents Day
Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Having an opportunity like Grandparents and Special Friends Day means children get a chance to share their learning environment, artwork, favourite books and their friends with special grown ups in their lives.
We are mindful of the fact that each family has a unique relationship with grandparent and some may not have grandparents in their lives. That’s why we never make this just an opportunity for grandparents – all special relationships children may have with family friends or aunties and uncles should be celebrated!
Bonkers Beat Music Kinder in Aspendale hosted our yearly Grandparents and Special Friends Day this week – take a look here!
One look at these happy faces shows just how important and enjoyable children’s relationships with special adults in their lives really are.
