Why Babysitting the Grandkids Might Be the Best Medicine

Navigating relationships with in-laws can come with its challenges, but when it comes to grandparents, their involvement in family life often brings undeniable benefits. Beyond the free babysitting and the extra set of hands around the house, there’s now research showing that the grandparent-grandchild relationship is far more mutual than it might appear.

The latest National Poll on Healthy Aging, based at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, reveals that being a grandparent offers a host of emotional and social benefits. Researchers found that 72% of people with grandchildren report hardly ever feeling isolated, compared to just 62% of those without grandchildren. In addition, those without grandchildren were more likely to rate their mental health as fair or poor, with 13% saying so compared to just 9% of those with grandchildren.

“For many older people, becoming a grandparent is a major milestone in their lives,” explained Kate Bauer, PhD, an associate professor of Nutritional Sciences in the U-M School of Public Health who worked with the poll team. “Our findings show there are many dimensions to grandparenting, and possible positive effects of grandparenting, some of which may not be widely recognized.”

The frequency of interactions between grandparents and grandchildren plays a significant role in the emotional benefits they experience. The poll found that 18% of grandparents see their grandchildren every day or nearly every day, while 23% see them at least once a week and another 23% see them once or twice a month. However, 36% of grandparents reported seeing their grandchildren only every few months or less.

Those who see their grandchildren more frequently are much less likely to feel isolated. In fact, 78% of grandparents who interact with their grandchildren daily or nearly daily said they hardly ever feel isolated, compared to just 65% of those who see their grandchildren only every few months or less. Even those who see their grandchildren weekly or monthly report benefits though, with 73% saying they rarely feel isolated.

Grandparents aren’t just benefiting emotionally from these relationships—they’re giving back in meaningful ways. Nearly half of grandparents with grandchildren under the age of 18 provide some form of care at least once every few months. About 20% provide care at least weekly, and 8% are involved daily or nearly daily. Additionally, nearly one-third of grandparents with grandchildren under 18 (32%) have provided financial support in some way over the past year.

“With growing attention by policymakers to the role of social interaction in the well-being of people over age 50, and also the struggles of older adults who are raising children under 18, we hope our findings will inform those policy discussions,” added Bauer. Policies like those in Sweden, which provide stipends to grandparents for caring for their grandchildren, could have a significant impact.

If you’re a grandma or grandpa looking to strengthen your bond with your grandchildren, consider these 10 Ways New Grandparents Can Start Off on the Right Foot.