That Grandparent Bond

There’s a special bond between grandparents and their grandchildren. It’s a relationship based on unconditional love, appreciation, fun and pure joy. Becoming a grandparent is probably one of the most special moments of a person’s life and is the start of mutually beneficial relationship, an unbreakable bond full of love and heart-warming interactions.

- Dearbhala Cox Giffin

Children benefit from having consistent, caring adults in their lives and grandparents also benefit from having young children in their lives. They have a clearly defined role and a sense of belonging and purpose in their later years, boosting their self-esteem, keeping them happy and healthy as it adds a sparkle to their day! It is an important relationship bringing a different perspective of wisdom, a sense of identity and extended family relationships.

Grandparents play a major role in a grandchild’s life as a friend, story teller, role model, confidante - it’s a different kind of love. Grandparents often establish a relationship where they can be a friend to their grandchild - parents are often caught up in the urgent business of day to day life establishing boundaries and routines, particularly when their children are little. Grandparents usually have a lot more time to just relax and be with their grandchildren, building their relationship, strengthening the bonds of affection and establishing a special closeness so that many young children even include granny and grandad in their list of friends!