GenBetween

Grandchildren More Likely to Care for Loving Grandparents

by Elizabeth on July 6th, 2007

Though it probably makes sense, research now supports the idea that grandchildren who were lovingly cared for by grandparents are more likely to take care of the grandparents as they (the grandparents) age.

In addition, it supports the idea that it’s good when grandchildren are involved in their grandparents’ care.
I only had one grandparent alive when I was a young adult, my mother’s mother, and, I wish I had done things a little differently.

I was in college when my grandmother’s health declined. Like me, my mother was an only child, and, was her sole caretaker. On top of that, my grandmother lived out of town. I was aware of the general situation, but, as I was only 19 or so, I didn’t really have a good grasp of what my mother was going through.

We eventually moved my grandmother to here in town, and, I had a little more responsibility for her, and, was happy to do what was asked of me. But, I know now I still didn’t “get it”.

Sometimes, I wish I had been a better support to my mother during that time, but, maybe though, I wasn’t supposed to “get” the whole impact of it at 19 years old. Looking back, I see that when my mother asked me to help, and, I did, but, that it was not supposed to be my job to support her sole emotional support, I think that is a job for one’s spouse and peers.

When my mother was sick, my kids helped out as they wished, but, they are young, and, we didn’t require them to do anything specific, but, they wanted to do something for her because they knew and loved her.

(link via Gayla)

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POSTED IN: Children and Elders