This paper has been commissioned by The Vanier Institute of the Family as a contribution to discussion and as a source for the development of The Vanier Institute of the Family's perspective on grandparenthood. Canadian couples typically become grandparents in their late 40s or early 50s. Today's grandparents live longer and experience a longer duration of grandparenthood than ever before.
Many grandparents live into their grandchildren's adulthood.
The majority of grandparents have regular contact with their grandchildren. When grandchildren are young, contact between grandparents and grandchildren is mediated by the middle generation. Most of these see their young grandchildren as well. Grandparents participate in various types of activities with their grandchildren and are resources to them in both material and nonmaterial ways. Grandparents bestow gifts, serve as babysitters, pass down history, traditions, family and social values, and act as confidants and role models.