I am so thankful for my parents who are very active and present in my children’s lives. They always put them at the top of their priority list. They would drop anything for them. They decided back when my daughter was a baby to designate every Wednesday to our little ones. Now, almost 8 years later they still stay true to their commitment. This not only allows me to get shopping, errands and just some time to myself one day a week, but also allows them to form a bond with their grandchildren.

A study confirms that children who are lucky enough to have grandparents who live nearby, grow up more serene and happy.

Grandparents concentrate more on the playful part, with games, and showing them things.  My parents take time to play in the playroom, get down and get served pretend food and play board games with them. They give them attention and their time, which is so valuable to them. Much better than any gift is the gift of time. Their undivided attention.

Indeed, those who grew up with their grandparents still have the scents and memories of that time in their eyes. Whether it was helping them in the kitchen, going to their home to just sit and chat, or doing activities together.
For example, family rituals such as the delicious Sunday dinner, holidays spent at  grandparents, and special things like getting a birthday card with a few dollars inside to spend on what my grandma called “sweeties”. Money, I could put in my little purse to spend on whatever I wished for.

Grandparents represent the roots of the family, that part that will always be by your side throughout your life.

Professor Buchanan of the University of Oxford, after studying the cases of about 1600 children between 11 and 16 years old, says that growing up with grandparents who live nearby provides greater security in respect to those children who only grow up with their parents. They are able to have their grandparents as a place to escape to and share their lives with.  I personally, like to have my parents watch the children if we are away for an extended length of time. They feel just as comfortable with them as they do at home. They view their grandparents as the fun ones.

Having grandparents on hand is good for children, and also for their mom and dad. Lots of love and affection never hurt anyone. For me, my family is everything.