In another study, it was found that when daughters become mothers they often find themselves with a new need for their mothers. Parents are a bridge between the two generations. Parents can set the tone for grandparent-grandchild relations over the entire life course by how they perform their early function as gatekeeper to grandparents and as regulator of appropriate grandparent role behavior. Even as adults, grandchildren tend to interact with grandparents in the context of wider family activities, often involving the parents. Greater closeness and contact between parents and grandparents equals more closeness and contact between grandchildren and grandparents.
Grandparents can find themselves as primary caregivers.
Intergenerational bonds need not be traditional or biological. Older adults and young people can often validate and help each other. Intergenerational mentoring can make a big difference in a child's life. The involvement of a reliable, caring adult in a child's life helps them develop life skills, and builds self-esteem and confidence. Children need to learn about aging and have positive role models in their life.