I have adapted the title from a book, I have replaced grandmother with grandparent.
It is a phrase that is so important, and not something we actually ever think about, but it is true.
The continuum of family.
The evolution of grandparents is well documented, although the first modern people evolved about 100,000 years ago, grandparents were quite rare as the age expectancy was approximately 30 years old, it is believed that 30.000 years ago as people began to live longer and tools for survival improved and more food was available grandparents were born. Grandparents became the the closest relation to the grandchildren, after parents. Biologically helping to increase grandchildren’s continued existence.
It is said that grandmother’s were foraging for food therefore teaching the important skills which enabled tribes to become healthier and as a consequence people started to live longer.
Key holders.
Grandparents were the holders of the key, they enabled grandchildren to understand their family history and as a result their own identity.
They are historians in their own right, teaching the grandchildren about earlier times a real life history book, with many stories to tell.
A grandparent can offer emotional support to the grandchildren, often the children will talk to grandparents about subjects that they find difficult to discuss or broach with their parents.
They can be role models for the grandchildren, showing them unconditional love and empathy.
All change.
In the last few decades we have seen a huge change in the roles of grandparents, many are now being the main source of child care,others are taking up the role of Kinship Care where grandparents look after their grandchildren 24/7 if the child’s parents are unable to look after them.
We often hear about the importance of attachment between child and parent which is a vital component for emotional development but interestingly less importance on the attachment of other family members including grandparents.
The African proverb of “It takes a village to raise a child,” is so true and part of that ‘village’ is of course grandparents and all members of the child’s extended family, all the family have to interact with children to enable them to grow in a safe and healthy environment.
When that bond is broken it is a devastation like no other, and the grandchildren are being denied those unique, special people from their lives.
Crumbling society.
Culture and traditions are too often disregarded, no longer important in this modern world, but the very foundations that society is built on has crumbled as a result.
We all need family, that sense of belonging, of being loved and cared for is a fundamental human need.
All children have a right to happy, healthy family relationships, regardless of the relationships between the adults, the responsibility of that lies with the adults to put the children first, thereby truly acting in the child’s best interest.
