STUDIES SUGGEST THAT CHILDREN WHO REGULARLY SPEND TIME WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS SHOW LOWER RATES OF DEPRESSION, CALMER STRESS RESPONSES, AND HIGHER LEVELS OF EMPATHY. Intergenerational relationships appear to offer emotional stability that goes beyond simple family bonding.

Grandparents often provide consistent affection, storytelling, cultural continuity, and a sense of belonging. Psychologists note that children benefit from having multiple secure attachment figures. Exposure to older generations can also strengthen empathy, patience, and social understanding as kids learn to relate across age differences.

Of course, every family dynamic is different. The quality of interaction matters more than frequency alone. But when healthy and supportive, grandparent relationships can become one of the strongest protective factors in a child’s emotional development.