Grandparents' presence, not gifts, shapes children's development. Psychologists highlight the power of quality time and unconditional love.
Grandparents’ presence shapes children
The true value of grandparents, according to child psychologists, lies not in material gifts but in their emotional presence and undivided attention, which significantly influences children's development.Psychologists redefine grandparent role
Three child psychologists interviewed by Parade magazine in September 2026 suggest that grandparents play a deeper role in child development than commonly assumed, moving beyond simple acts like giving gifts or taking children to the movies.Emotional presence and psychological concepts
Dr. Elizabeth Solomon Loyola, Caitlin Slavens, and Dr. Ioana Pal describe this emotional presence as involving listening, quality time, and avoiding pressure to behave. They link this to psychological concepts like unconditional positive regard and "serve and return" interactions, which are crucial for development.Research supports emotional bonds
A meta-analysis from the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, covering 59 studies and over 71,000 children, shows that the quality of the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is directly linked to better developmental outcomes in children.Unconditional love without pressure
Dr. Elizabeth Solomon Loyola emphasizes that what grandchildren need most from grandparents is unconditional love and support, free from the pressures or expectations that parents might impose. Grandparents, often retired, can offer this kind of attention without other responsibilities interfering.
