Consider yourself lucky if you have (or have had) good grandparents and you got to spend time with them as a child.

There’s research to suggest that a healthy relationship with a grandparent is more likely to result in happier children.

As an added benefit, spending quality time with grandchildren makes grandparents happier and healthier (both mentally and physically) as well!

Here are 10 reasons that this relationship is so valuable:

1. They’re our link to our family’s history

Grandparents are a great source of information about family members that you never got a chance to meet and that your parents may not remember.

This link to the past is clearly something people are interested in if the use of ancestry websites and genetic tests is anything to go by.

But while it’s one thing to do research on your own, history comes to life when you get to hear the details from someone who was there.

2. They’re both family and friends

Grandparents make great pals, partly because they don’t have to be as strict as your parents. They’re a great source of fun (and even a little mischief) sometimes.

Of course, friends come and go, but your grandparents will always love you.

3. They can make for happier kids

A good grandparent can have a significant effect on the mental health of children.

A study published in The Gerontologist found that these relationships could even help reduce symptoms of depression in both groups.

4. They are a sympathetic ear

Kids don’t always want to talk to their parents about things they find important, but grandparents can be a great outlet for those conversations. And since they want to spend time with their grandkids, they’ll listen to you vent without too much drama.

And isn’t advice easier to hear when it’s not coming from your mom or dad?

5. They’re good mentors

Grandparents are great about helping you learn from your mistakes without reminding you that they “told you so.” They’re generally a positive source of conversation.

The majority of grandparents are eager to pass on positive ideals to their grandchildren. A study found that these ideals included: honesty, good behavior, voting, self-sufficiency, higher education, and good health habits.

6. They teach us about style

This might seem like it’s out of left field and maybe you don’t want to borrow anything your grandmother or grandfather wears now, but chances are they remember a time when people didn’t wear yoga pants and cargo shorts everywhere.

They probably have some good advice about how to look your best (or at least encourage you to try to look your best).

7. They can step in when disaster strikes

A growing number of Americans are being raised by their grandparents. In fact, the U.S. Census reports that 2.6 million Americans are raising their grandchildren, keeping them out of the foster system.

It’s sad but true that parents aren’t always around to do the job and grandparents are generally up for a second round of child-rearing if they have to be.

8. They take the whole grandparenting business seriously

According to a survey done by the America Grandparents Association (which is probably a little biased), 72% of grandparents “think being a grandparent is the single most important and satisfying thing in their life.”

It’s not surprising to hear that 90% of them also enjoy talking about their grandkids to just about anyone!

9. Spending time with grandkids helps the elderly live longer

A UK study found found that babysitting grandkids was correlated with living a longer life. Elderly men and women without any childcare responsibilities didn’t live as long as those who had some.

There are limitations to this study, but don’t let that stop you from getting some free babysitting if you’re a mom or dad!

10. They teach us life lessons

Age really does bring wisdom – or at least experience. It can be a lot easier to take advice or learn lessons from grandparents than parents.

Spending time with grandma or grandpa can bring you lots of great stories about past mistakes, ways to cope, and lessons learned. You’re also bound to get some great stories about your parents while you’re at it.

Yes, “back in their day” things were different, but some wisdom never changes.

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We have no doubt that grandparents are keen to hear just how important they are to their grandchildren (and vice versa). Of course, it’s important to remember that these emotional benefits are predicated on the idea that you’re a healthy influence on kids and BOTH of their parents.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Boston Globe, The Gerontologist, MetLife, NHS