Home / Relationships / Grandparents & Extended Families Raising children near their grandparents has scientific benefits (besides the free babysitting!) 2. It increases their resilience. By Heather Marcoux Updated September 6, 2024 Rectangle Table of Contents Toggle Here are five reasons why a close bond between grandparents and grandchildren is an amazing gift1. They'll have a built-in support system2. Having an intergenerational identity increases kids' resilience3. Close ties to grandparents make kids less ageist4. Staying close with their grandparents protects kids from depression as adults5. Kids help grandparents live longer There is something incredibly special about the bond between grandparents and grandchildren, and itâs so much deeper than fresh cookies and free babysitting. Itâs not always easy, and it can sometimes make for long road trips, but when we foster a positive relationship with their grandparents, our kids benefit. Itâs often said that grandparents are prone to babying the next generation, but all that extra love doesnât make them softâit makes them strong. Here are five reasons why a close bond between grandparents and grandchildren is an amazing gift 1. Theyâll have a built-in support system  The Boston Globe reports that children who are close to their grandparents have fewer emotional and behavioral problems, and are better able to cope with traumatic life events, like a divorce or bullying at school. In a very real way, grandparents can provide a sense of security and support that helps kids through adverse childhood experiences. 2. Having an intergenerational identity increases kidsâ resilience Other research suggests that having an intergenerational identity, or an understanding of oneâs family history and where they fit within it, can make kids more resilient and help them feel more in control of their lives, even when the world outside their family seems out of control. As Bruce Feiler notes in his book, âThe Secrets of Happy Families: How to Improve Your Morning, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smart, Go Out and Play, and Much Moreâ psychologists studying resilience in children after the September 11 terrorist attacks found those who knew a lot about their family history were better able to cope with stress. Knowing how their grandmother came to America, or what store their papa bagged groceries in as a teenager can help a child understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves. Knowing that, and knowing that previous generations survived their own hard times, helps kids learn to cope and bounce back from their own adversity. 3. Close ties to grandparents make kids less ageist We are all going to get old someday, and we certainly donât want the next generation to be discriminating against us when we get there. Luckily, the best antidote to ageism is to foster positive relationships between children and their grandparents. According to a study involving 1,151 Belgium kids aged 7 to 16, kids who are close to their grandparents are less likely to show bias towards older adults. Kids who had a poor relationship (not necessarily in terms of quantity of contact, but rather the quality of it) were more likely to have ageist views. 4. Staying close with their grandparents protects kids from depression as adults A 2014 study out of Boston College linked close emotional relationships between grandparents and adult grandchildren to lower rates of depressionâfor both the elderly and their adult grandkids. For the grandparents, having a close relationship to an adult grandchild exposes them to new ideas, and the adult grandchildren benefit from the life experience and advice they get from a grandparent, the Boston Globe reports. 5. Kids help grandparents live longer The science is pretty clear that staying close to your childâs grandparents (even if you canât live right down the street) is good for everyone. The kids become more resilient, and grandparents become healthier: Research suggests grandparents who watch their grandchildren add more years to their life. An intergenerational connection really is a win-win. A version of this post was published October 11, 2018. It has been updated. Categories: Grandparents & Extended Families, Relationships Related articles Viral & Trending ‘Texts from my mother-in-law’ goes viral because everyone should be this lucky June 7, 2024 Grandparents & Extended Families Spending time with grandparents makes kids less prone to ageism, says study January 16, 2018 Back To School The one thing every child needs to bring with them to school November 3, 2017