While many older adults never knew their grandparents or lost them during childhood, today's young people can expect to share several decades of life with their grandparents. The grandparent-grandchild relationship is vitally important, according to Amy Griswold, University of Illinois Extension educator, family life. In today's mobile society, grandparents can provide a sense of continuity in a world of change. Even if grandparents live a long distance away, the relationships between the generations is valuable. One researcher discovered that throughout the lifespan, a child's relationship with grandparents has an influence on family roles and how that child views being a grandparent as he or she ages.
Grandparents can provide many contributions to a child's life.
One contribution is teaching a child to interact with people of all ages. Grandparents can also act as a role model, setting a good example of how to interact with others and adapting a positive approach to life. Many grandparents provide childcare for their grandchildren. Often, grandparents have more time to spend with a child, or the financial resources to participate in special activities, such as trips to zoo, sporting events and museums. Besides offering love and acceptance, grandparents can provide a sense of stability in a child's life.