X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • Events
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

Children Who Grow Up With Their Grandparents Are Happier And More Secure: Study

3 min read

“How do I stop my parents and in-laws from interfering in my life, and spoiling my kids?” We get this question so often on theAsianparent app! But did you know that according to research, children who grow up with their grandparents are happier?

A study of 374 grandparents and 356 adult grandchildren throughout the years of 1985 and 2004, found that, having close emotional ties between a grandparent and grandchild can actually reduce depressive symptoms for both.

Benefits of growing up with grandparents

The study reveals that kids who grow up to have greater emotional closeness with their grandparents are less likely to be depressed as adults!

According to Vanessa Jensen, PsyD, of Cleveland Clinic, the more love and care a child gets, the better.

“The more people who love your child, the better,” she said.

“Presumably if they’re reasonably healthy people and reasonable in their approach to how they care for your child – it never hurts to have more people who can care about an individual child or a family.” 

growing up with grandparents

According to Dr. Jensen, the role of a grandparent in a child’s life becomes all the more significant in families going through divorce, or where there aren’t many social connections.

For parents who are worried about grandparents spoiling their kids though, she says that it’s important to remember that the dynamics or equation between a grandparent and child is different from that between a parent and child. And so it’s normal to have different or conflicting views.

In fact, Dr. Jensen recommends that children be allowed to do things differently when they’re spending time at their grandparents’ house. 

“For a typical grandparent, where a child visits, it can be a great way to experience a different activity; if grandma and grandpa live in a different city; if they live on a farm; if they’re around other cousins – it’s almost like a little mini-vacation – and I often tell parents, ‘let it be a vacation,” she says. 

growing up with grandparents

Research by the University of Oxford also shows that a high level of grandparental involvement increases the well-being of children. A study of more than 1,500 children showed that such children had fewer emotional and behavioural problems.

And so, dear mums and dads, it’s perfectly okay to let grandparents spoil their grandkids as long as it’s within limits.

Grandparents who babysit grandkids live longer

Meanwhile, the grandparent-grandchild relationship seems to be a symbiotic one!

Did you know that grandparents who babysit their grandkids live longer?

A study shows that grandparents who are responsible for caring for grandchildren have a 37% lower mortality risk than adults of the same age without the same caregiving responsibilities.

growing up with grandparents

This is believed to be due to greater physical and mental activity involved while caring for their grandchildren. Grandparents may play games with grandkids, take them to the park or playground, help them finish puzzles, or provide homework assistance. 

growing up with grandparents

Helping others and providing for them gives grandparents purpose in life, and helps them stay positive and less depressed.

Partner Stories
What to Expect the First 24 Hours After Giving Birth
What to Expect the First 24 Hours After Giving Birth
Are You Ready for PlayFACTO School’s Islandwide Open House Extravaganza?
Are You Ready for PlayFACTO School’s Islandwide Open House Extravaganza?
21st Century Parenting 101: Hear From Our Experts About Everything from S.T.E.M to Your Child’s Digital Well Being
21st Century Parenting 101: Hear From Our Experts About Everything from S.T.E.M to Your Child’s Digital Well Being
Is Your Child’s Tummy Troubles Causing You Sleepless Nights? Lactogen 3 is Your Solution!
Is Your Child’s Tummy Troubles Causing You Sleepless Nights? Lactogen 3 is Your Solution!

So mums and dads, having an involved grandparent benefits the well-being of your children, and helps them feel more safe and secure. It actually makes them stronger. And looking after their grandkids is great for the physical and emotional well-being of grandparents too. A win-win for all!

Also READ: 4 ways to delicately prevent a grandparent from spoiling your child

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jaya

  • Home
  • /
  • In-laws
  • /
  • Children Who Grow Up With Their Grandparents Are Happier And More Secure: Study
Share:
  • Why Maternal Grandmothers Play a Special Role in Grandchildren's Lives

    Why Maternal Grandmothers Play a Special Role in Grandchildren's Lives

  • Dad Won’t Allow Grandparents To Meet Daughter After They Did THIS To Her

    Dad Won’t Allow Grandparents To Meet Daughter After They Did THIS To Her

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

  • Why Maternal Grandmothers Play a Special Role in Grandchildren's Lives

    Why Maternal Grandmothers Play a Special Role in Grandchildren's Lives

  • Dad Won’t Allow Grandparents To Meet Daughter After They Did THIS To Her

    Dad Won’t Allow Grandparents To Meet Daughter After They Did THIS To Her

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

    Melissa Faith Yeo Claims Andie Chen Accused Her of Cheating to Get Pity Votes for Star Awards

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it