Grandparents’ Role in Supporting Children’s Well-Being
Interlude Hypnotherapy
Published: June, 2025
Grandparents form a bridge across generations, offering both wisdom and emotional stability to their families. Their cherished role goes beyond simply being relatives or caregivers; they profoundly influence the mental, emotional, and even physical well-being of their grandchildren. This connection is central to fostering resilience, continuity, and belonging within families.
This article explores the unique role grandparents play in supporting their grandchildren’s overall well-being. Using authoritative research, along with actionable strategies linked to emotional resilience and self-care, it’ll address cultural diversity, non-traditional family dynamics, and even the importance of grandparents practicing self-care.
If you are a grandparent seeking to deepen your bond with your grandchildren, these insights will help you make your role even more impactful, leaving a legacy imbued with love, guidance, and stability.
The Crucial Role of Grandparents in Children’s Development
Children often turn to their grandparents as a secure base of comfort and reassurance, distinct from the parental role of enforcing rules or routines. This allows grandparents to provide a unique kind of stability and safety.
Research supports the powerful influence of grandparental involvement. A study conducted by Professor Ann Buchanan from the University of Oxford revealed that high levels of grandparent involvement correlate with fewer emotional and behavioural issues in children, especially those from divorced or separated families. This reinforces the idea that grandparents can act as an emotional stabiliser during times of family change or upheaval.
Additionally, international studies from the Swiss School of Public Health highlight that grandparents can enhance children’s cognitive and emotional development across cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. These findings underline the global importance of this special intergenerational bond.
Benefits of Grandparental Care
✅ Stability and Comfort
Grandparents often bring a calm and consistent presence that helps grandchildren feel safe, especially during periods of uncertainty like divorce or relocation.
✅ Transfer of Life Experience
Sharing memories, stories, and lessons not only educates but also instils a sense of family history and values.
✅ Boosted Mental Health and Resilience
Meta-analyses published in PubMed emphasise better mental health outcomes for children who are cared for by highly involved grandparents. This reflects the emotional buffering effect grandparents provide.
✅ Affection and Unconditional Love
Affectionate communication and non-judgmental interactions, as identified by the Affection Exchange Theory, have been shown to reduce loneliness, depressive symptoms, and stress in children.
Practical Ways to Foster Well-Being
Grandparents have an immense opportunity to influence their grandchildren’s emotional and mental well-being. By engaging in intentional, nurturing activities, they can leave a lasting positive impact.
1. Encourage Open Dialogue
Creating an atmosphere where grandchildren feel heard and understood is one of the most significant ways to nurture emotional health. UK research suggests that children benefit greatly when grandparents take on the role of a trusted confidant. Ask open-ended questions like:
➡️“What’s something that made you happy today?”
➡️“What do you enjoy doing the most at school?”
This can lead to meaningful exchanges and strengthen the bond between grandparent and grandchild.
For teens, consider incorporating conversations naturally into shared activities like cooking or walking, which foster a relaxed environment for communication.
2. Model Healthy Emotional Responses
Children frequently internalise what they observe in adults. Demonstrating resilience, self-control, and positive coping mechanisms sets an example for grandchildren to follow.
For instance, if you face stress, explain your approach to managing it. Whether it’s through mindfulness, deep breaths, or light physical activity, this transparency normalises emotions and encourages healthy solutions.
If you face difficulty managing emotions yourself, pairing mindfulness exercises with professional support, such as solution-focused hypnotherapy, can benefit both you and your family relationships. Grandparents’ emotional well-being plays a significant role in influencing a child’s mental health.
3. Be Present for the Moments that Matter
While day-to-day presence is invaluable, even sporadic but meaningful engagements can reinforce the importance of family connections. Attend school events, participate in hobbies, or celebrate milestones, no matter how small.
If physical distance prevents frequent visits, maintain connections through video calls, letters, or collaborative digital activities such as creating shared photo albums. These simple gestures nurture belonging and stability.
4. Support with Balanced Encouragement
Celebrating effort rather than results fosters resilience. Offer praise that acknowledges their hard work and individuality. Avoid comparative remarks that could lead to competitiveness or self-doubt.
When Grandparents Become Parents Again
For some children, their grandparents step into the parenting role when their parents are unable to do so. Whether due to parental loss, illness, or other circumstances, this form of kinship care is becoming increasingly common both in the UK and globally. Taking on full-time caregiving responsibilities can be rewarding, but it also presents unique challenges that require resilience, support, and careful planning.
Understanding Kinship Care in the UK
Kinship care refers to a family arrangement where grandparents, or other relatives, assume primary caregiving for children who cannot be cared for by their parents. According to UK-based charity Family Rights Group, over 200,000 children are being raised by relatives or close family friends, with grandparents making up the majority of these caregivers. This transition often occurs during already stressful times, leaving grandparents to manage both their own emotional adjustments and the needs of their grandchildren.
Practical Tips for Navigating This Role
❇️ Establish Stability and Routine
When children experience significant life changes, they benefit from predictable routines. Structure around meal times, school schedules, and hobbies helps to create a sense of normality and security.
❇️ Prioritise Emotional Well-Being
Children in kinship care may experience grief, confusion, or anxiety related to their circumstances. Open communication is key. Help them express their emotions by providing a safe space to talk, and consider age-appropriate therapy options, such as hypnotherapy, to support emotional resilience.
❇️ Legal and Financial Considerations
- Legal Guardianship
Depending on your situation, pursuing guardianship or a special guardianship order may provide the legal authority needed to make critical decisions, such as enrolling your grandchild in school or accessing medical care. Consult a family solicitor or resources like Citizens Advice for guidance. - Financial Support
Explore benefits available to kinship carers, such as Child Benefit or additional financial aid under Universal Credit. Organisations like Kinship can provide tailored advice and support.
❇️ Educational Advocacy
Engage proactively with your grandchild’s school to ensure they receive the support they need. Schools often have pastoral care teams equipped to assist children encountering adjustment challenges. Don’t hesitate to request additional resources like counselling to support their learning and well-being.
❇️ Create Your Support Network
Becoming a full-time caregiver can be isolating, especially when adjusting to new responsibilities. Seek out kinship care support groups or online forums to connect with others in similar situations. These networks can provide emotional support and practical advice tailored to your experience.
Mental Health Resources for UK Kinship Carers
Being a kinship carer involves immense dedication, but it’s important not to overlook your own mental health. Balancing your needs with caregiving responsibilities can be challenging.
✅ Professional Support
Services like Parent Pathways™ provide practical tools and emotional clarity, blending solution-focused techniques with hypnotherapy to reduce stress and enhance resilience.
✅ Well-being Programs for Kinship Carers
Organisations like Grandparents Plus (now referred to as Kinship) offer resources, workshops, and helplines designed to support carers in managing the complexities of their roles.
Addressing Modern Challenges
Cultural and Generational Differences
Families evolve, and so do traditions, lifestyles, and values. Bridging these gaps requires active listening and empathy. Research from the Centre for Longitudinal Studies in the UK has shown that while generational divides can create tension, they also offer opportunities for growth and understanding.
Rather than emphasising differences, focus on shared values and learn about their world. Participate in their interests and make space for mutual respect. Workshops on intergenerational relationships or emotional resilience techniques can help address these challenges constructively.
Non-Traditional Family Dynamics
Modern families take many forms, whether in blended households, single-parent settings, or families with same-sex parents. Grandparents play a pivotal role in supporting these families by acting as an emotional anchor.
- Collaborate with parents to ensure your guidance aligns with their parenting approach.
- Acknowledge and celebrate the diversity within family structures, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for your grandchildren.
Why Self-Care for Grandparents Is Essential
The well-being of grandparents directly influences their ability to support their families. Taking the time to care for yourself is not only beneficial for your health but creates an invaluable model for grandchildren.
Here are strategies to prioritise self-care:
➡️ Practise Mindful Relaxation
Techniques such as breathing exercises or hypnotherapy sessions offer relief from stress and reinforce emotional clarity.
➡️ Stay Physically Active
Activities like yoga or walking can enhance both mental and physical health, leaving you better equipped to support your family.
➡️ Join Empowering Programmes
Consider enrolling in emotional support services like Parent Pathways™, designed to blend solution-focused strategies with practical tools for relieving stress. This is particularly beneficial for grandparents juggling complex family roles.
Navigating Sensitive Issues
Sometimes, grandchildren require additional support to cope with challenges like anxiety or significant life changes. Grandparents are often trusted allies and can gently suggest professional help, such as hypnotherapy tailored for children.
Therapies rooted in play, storytelling, and emotional resilience techniques provide a safe space for children to process their struggles, reducing stress and building confidence. Collaboration with parents is essential to ensure children receive the care they need.
A Lasting Legacy of Love and Influence
Grandparents provide a foundation of emotional strength and family values that resonates across generations. Whether acting as nurturers of emotional well-being or stepping in as primary caregivers, their role shapes the resilience and confidence of future generations. For grandparents raising their grandchildren full-time, the challenges are significant, but so are the rewards. By creating stability, prioritising self-care, and navigating the complexities of kinship care with the right resources, grandparents can ensure their families thrive even in the face of change.
Through active listening, mindful care, and seeking out professional support when needed, grandparents can strengthen their bonds with their grandchildren while protecting their own well-being. Every moment of love and guidance you provide becomes a thread in the rich tapestry of your family’s story, leaving a legacy filled with strength, compassion, and hope.
Take the first step towards strengthening and mindfully fulfilling your role as a grandparent today. The specially designed solution-focused programme, Parent Pathways™, is here to provide you and your family with the guidance and tools needed to move forward with confidence and care. Click here to learn more.
