For many of us, spending our childhood with our grandparents was truly memorable. Some of us are still lucky to have them amongst us, yet, in a hauntingly beautiful way, the memories which we shared with them—from recounting old stories in the courtyard, playing sellam bath, to being fed while running around the house or playing dress up —these moments are forever etched in our hearts. Looking back, don’t those great memories still bring a smile to your face?

Parenting is a wonderful thing and watching the little humans you brought into this world grow up is a crazy yet fulfilling journey on its own. As much as parents do to make sure they spend as much time as possible with their kids, tight work schedules can make that challenging. Which is why the Children-Grandparents dynamic is so very important. Grandparents provide a safe and loving environment for these impressionable children to learn and grow in.

Sprinkling stardust over grandchildren

The famous American writer Alex Haley said nobody could do for little children what grandparents do. “Grandparents sprinkle stardust over the lives of their grandkids,” he said, showing the positivity, love and affection they bring to the lives of their grandchildren is not something that can be equalled by anyone else. From giving kids that little bit of extra love and care to helping children steer both positive and negative moments of their lives, grandparents play an essential role in the wellbeing of a child. For many years, the belief among many of us was our time with our grandparents have been equipping us with the skills we needed to become a more secure and happier person as an adult. But now a scientific study conducted at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom has proven this very notion!

The data from the research asserts that children who have strong relationships with their grandparents tend to have fewer problems, both emotional and behavioural. Additionally, children also have less difficulties when interacting and maintaining relationships with peers. The study, completed by Professor Ann Buchanan from the Department of Social Policy and Intervention, surveyed more than 1,500 children and displayed that increased involvement from grandparents can be crucial in a child's development. Furthermore, the study found that while grandmothers take on a more nurturing role, grandfathers become mentors to their grandkids.

Its not just the kids, grandparents benefit from frequent interactions with their grandchildren too

Furthermore, another study pointed out that grandparents who spend time with their grandchildren live significantly longer lives. Out of 500 seniors aged 70 and above, a 37%lower death ratio was recorded among respondents who provided some form of care to their grandkids.

Prof. Attanayake M. Hearth, one of the most respected academicians in the country, believes the relationship between grandparents and grandkids have two crucial facets.

“In a tightknit relationship, the grandparents transfer their legacy to their grandkids. Grandparents have special access to family history and teaching grandchildren about where they come from, as well as the struggles and successes of the family helps grandchildren better understand their family's unique history. While that happens, grandkids breathe more life into the declining life expectancy of the

grandparents, helping them to keep their brains sharp and stay active. Grandparents who share their stories can keep their memories alive, which for many older individuals, is incredibly important. The synergy between them is undeniably significant, and the experiences with the grandparents usually leave the grandchildren warm and safe,” opined Prof. Attanayake.

Dr. Dilhar Samaraweera, a renowned consultant physician, specialized in Geriatric medicine, said there is an enormous positive impact and mutual benefit to be gained from the interaction between grandchildren and grandparents.

“Grandchildren have a world of knowledge and experience to gain from their grandparents, which will no doubt help them navigate their own life better and strengthen their relationships in the absence of their parents. Grandparents, especially those confined to their homes, in turn, will be able to enjoy a fresh perspective on life and keep up with it through their grandchildren, who can introduce them to new technology through which they can experience the world outside. This will increase their cognitive stimulation, which will undoubtedly support them better cope and manage other health conditions such as dementia,” Dr. Samaraweera said.

The Life Insurer that recently gave this concept a creative spin

Triggering a conversation on this very topic along with the recent passing of World Children and Elders Day, was Sri Lanka’s Best Health Insurance -Softlogic Life Insurance. Softlogic Life insurance had in a uniquely woven commercial shed light on this eternal bond between kids and grandparents whilst drawing attention to how it is better for the overall mental and physical health of the grandparents as well as the mental stability of the children when they spend more time together. It is indeed beautiful to see how an adult quickly slides into their inner avatar of a child when around kids and this commercial purposefully captures those very moments.