The importance of grandparents in the lives of children

On July 26, the International Grandparents Day, a date on the calendar that reminds us of the great importance of grandparents in the lives of boys and girls, in how they contribute to their education and development and what rights they have in relation to their grandsons and granddaughters. They are basic figures or references in the lives of the grandchildren, and when they are not there, they are greatly missed, as we have been able to verify during the months that the confinement has lasted.

The role of grandparents goes far beyond taking care of the children when the parents cannot or go on a trip. Grandparents transmit values, teach knowledge, new experiences and lots of love. Currently, in addition, we have a longer life expectancy, so children have the opportunity to enjoy their grandparents for a longer timebecause, in addition, they have better health and more vitality than previous generations.

What do grandparents represent in the lives of children?

Grandparents represent many important things in the lives of their grandsons and granddaughters. They have a great influence on what we do or do not do. It is not uncommon for grandsons or granddaughters to follow in the professional or personal footsteps of their grandparents or try to break away from family tradition, for example.

Also, grandparents represent dedication. Due, as we said before, to their longevity and the fact that they no longer work, they can spend more time with their grandsons and granddaughters, exercise their patience and play with them. Grandparents often take their grandsons and granddaughters to the movies, the theater, for a walk or even to ride a bike. Grandparents also contribute to the education of children, teaching values and giving information that has been in the family for years.

As children grow up, there comes a time when they are really aware that they have met their mother’s mother, or their mother’s father, for example, and they realize that their mothers and fathers were children. and girls and this generates a lot of curiosity and millions of questions.

It is often said that grandparents always tell war stories, but what happens is that they transmit stories orally from one generation to another, and that forges adults with a certain way of being and acting. In some indigenous tribes, grandparents do not know how to read or write and telling stories is their way of transmitting what they know and educating their grandsons and granddaughters.

Promote the relationship of your sons and daughters with their grandparents, encourage them to ask about the past, to be curious. Let them spend quality time together and learn from each other. For grandparents it is very gratifying to feel accompanied and listened to by their grandsons and granddaughters, because they are entertained, have fun and do not feel alone.

What can grandparents bring to their grandsons and granddaughters?

In addition to time, as we have seen, grandparents can bring many benefits to their grandsons and granddaughters, such as the following:

– Emotional balance. Boys and girls will learn to relate to people from different generations, create a bond with their grandparents and maintain an emotional balance. Grandparents can be a great support for children when they have a problem, their parents get divorced or a family member falls ill or dies.

– Transmission of values. Grandsons and granddaughters can learn values from their grandparents such as tolerance, respect, love, patience or effort, among many others. These values will make grandsons and granddaughters responsible and resilient adults.

– Fun. Grandparents rejuvenate in contact with their grandsons and granddaughters and you can see them play, laugh and joke around.

– Disconnection of technology. We live in a totally digitized world, many boys and girls spend much of their free time glued to a mobile or computer screen, but with their grandparents they will learn to return to the simple and everyday.

– Set an example. Boys and girls see their grandparents as examples to follow and over time a great trust will be generated that will make them great friends and confidants. If the boy and girl have a problem, they are likely to go to their grandparents and tell them about it.

The benefit is not only for the grandsons and granddaughters, it is also for the grandparents since interacting with the youngest helps them avoid isolation, depression and other health problems.

Rights of grandparents and grandsons and granddaughters

The treatment of grandparents with their grandsons and granddaughters can be very close, but new circumstances can arise that change the relationship, such as the divorce of the child’s parents. The treatment of grandparents with their grandsons and granddaughters can be very close, but new circumstances can arise that change the relationship, such as the divorce of the child’s parents. The rights recognized by law are that of visits and communication with their grandchildren, even if the parents refuse.

In Spain, the rights of grandparents in relation to grandsons and granddaughters are regulated in article 160 of the Civil Code, which establishes the following in section number 2:

The minor’s personal relations with his siblings, grandparents and other relatives and acquaintances may not be prevented without just cause.

In case of opposition, the Judge, at the request of the minor, siblings, grandparents, relatives or close friends, will decide according to the circumstances. In particular, it must ensure that the measures that may be established to favor relations between siblings, and between grandparents and grandchildren, do not allow the infringement of judicial resolutions that restrict or suspend the relations of minors with one of their parents.

Therefore, the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren must continue beyond the separation of the parents to continue contributing positive things to the youngest. It is in our hands to help children continue to share time with their grandparents and not be mere caregivers when we need them.

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