While we may have an increasingly fast-paced lifestyle, setting aside time to spend with grandparents is an important step in intergenerational bonding and can be both fun and educational. Sources of wisdom, experience, and interesting stories, grandparents are the gift that keeps on giving in our busy world.
1. Practical life lessons
Grandparents have a wealth of life experiences we can draw from. They have seen the world change and learned to adapt while picking up many valuable lessons along the way. Talking to grandparents can help grandchildren have a deep well of experiences to draw from, whether that is in the form of practical advice or perspectives. They can also anchor traditional values such as love, care, commitment and respect, which are often glossed over in modern culture but are sure to shine through when talking to them. Life can be complicated, but a helping hand from a grandparent can go a long way.
2. A chance to slow down
In the age of social media and modern technology, life can sometimes feel like a frantic rush. However, many grandparents come from a time before all that and are thus better able to look at life more objectively. Talking to grandparents can be a valuable reminder that other things are important besides what is on a screen, and it can be a chance to unplug from our stresses. This is especially true for spending more time with our families, as it gives us a chance to better understand and appreciate where we come from. In a hectic world, family has never been more important, and grandparents embody that.
3. Stories out of time
A huge benefit of spending quality time with your grandparents is the stories they can tell you. The grandparents’ long experience provides them with a wealth of anecdotes and tales from every aspect of their lives. Moreover, many grandparents have lived very different lives from us today, and their stories can give insights into how much the world has changed. These stories are often interesting to hear, and can allow the grandparent to walk down memory lane, giving both parties a pleasant experience. Stories are how people connect their experiences and share their lives, so pay attention when grandma talks about her childhood because often it will be worth it.
4. Joy in simple pleasures
Grandparents have a unique ability to remind us of the beauty in life’s simple pleasures — the joy of watching a sunset, the delight in playing a board game, the wonder of exploring nature or having fun visiting a new place. Their age and experience often manifest in an appreciation for the most important things in life, and being a product of a slower time can help us see the things we often miss. Taking a walk with a grandparent is a great way to bond with them, and it allows them to show some of those little things. Spending time with grandparents in a world filled with distractions allows grandchildren to slow down, be present, and appreciate the little things that bring happiness.
This article was first published by Families for Life.
