10 Lessons Grandparents Can Learn from Their Grandchildren

“Love is the greatest gift that one generation can give to another.” — Richard Garnett

There are moments in life so momentous that they redefine you. The day you become a grandparent is such a moment. You trod this path years before. You’re veterans of child-rearing. You’ve seen and done it all. That is until you become a grandparent. Your grandchildren will teach you things you never imagined. Here are 10 lessons you might just learn.

1. Learn to Live In Hope

When you take your newborn grandchild into your arms and gaze at this small wonder, you’re beholding one of the most precious and innocent of life’s treasures. Seeing life renew itself is a surefire way to boost the human spirit. That boost is hope. Each milestone your grandchild experiences will bring a smile to your face and pride to your heart. Your grandchildren provide new purpose as you get to be a second-string parent once again. You start to greet each day with a new song in your heart. Grandchildren provide a zeal for life that may have gotten battered or lost through the years. They teach us that hope is still very much alive in the world. 

2. Learn to Live in the Moment

Children live moment by moment. And they do it beautifully. As you accompany them through their day, you have to keep them on task. They get lost in whatever they’re doing, blissfully unaware of clocks. Well, until bedtime rolls around, of course. In a child’s mind, the days are always too short. Your grandchildren’s way of living in the moment can be a gentle reminder that you might have way too much on your calendar. They might lead you to ask yourself when you last enjoyed an activity so much that you, too, might become blissfully unaware of clocks. Living on your grandchild’s time will impact the way you spend your own. What a great life lesson.

3. Learn to Live Without Fear

It’s pretty obvious from the get-go that grandchildren have very few fears. Grandparents, like parents, have to protect these curious daredevils from, well, themselves. Young ones must learn that they can’t test the limits of gravity or pet any stray animal or insect they stumble upon. In contrast, grandparents have arrived at an age where they realize that life is fragile. Their parent (or parents) may have passed away, along with some friends. Their own mortality is probably never far from their thoughts. However, a new life can give grandparents a fresh focus. As they watch their grandchildren embrace life, they embrace it with them. Grandparents cheer on their grandkids, celebrate their birthday parties and holidays, and teach them lessons they once taught their children. Soon enough, the grandparents realize that life is for living. At any age, that’s a wonderful lesson to learn. 

4. Learn to Love 

Children are like little mirrors, reflecting the love they receive. Not only are they generous with their affection, but they know no enemies. You may have noticed that your grandchildren are very attached to a stuffed animal or blanket. Like Linus Van Pelt, they may take these treasured items wherever they go. These are a type of transitional object and represent the love and security conveyed by parents, grandparents, and other loved ones. If your grandchild shares their toys with you, bask in the fact that you are deeply trusted and cherished. If they offer you a lick of their sticky lollipop, know that you are tops in their eyes. Sometimes, older grandchildren will share something with a grandparent before they’ll share it with a parent. They may realize that you have more time to listen. Learning how your grandchildren love will change the way you love. And that’s a wonderful, wonderful thing.

5. Learn to Smile

One of the cutest sights you may ever see is your infant grandchild sporting a toothless grin and a good deal of slobber. You may find yourself making funny noises and silly faces to see small eyes filled with merriment. What comes so easily to children is critically important to grandparents. Smiling releases natural endorphins, mood enhancers that reduce stress. Smiling also reduces stress-enhancing hormones like adrenaline and overall blood pressure. Giving your smile is giving a gift to yourself and others. This is easily learned when you are the recipient of the twinkling grin of your young offspring. 

6. Learn to Play

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical and emotional strength. Play is also important to healthy brain development. Through play, children engage and interact with the world around them. You never have to tell a child to play. Play is innate and begins early. Peekaboo, hide and go seek, playing chase—it’s wonderful how simple it is to amuse grandchildren. If you give a toddler a wooden spoon and some metal cookware, it won’t take long before they’re in a concert. A sandbox and toys can easily occupy a toddler for a long time. Playing with grandkids can help grandparents strengthen their imagination and find new ways to bring a smiles to their grandchildren’s faces.

7. Learn to be Curious

Just when you thought you knew it all, your grandchildren are born. And though you’ve probably accumulated an incredible amount of wisdom and knowledge, grandchildren can lead you back to childlike curiosity. Kids are full of curiosity and want to know everything. The word “why” is something you’ll frequently hear from your growing grands. Lifelong learning is critical for personal development, self-confidence, and life achievement. Just as children come alive with curiosity when learning something new, the mastery of new knowledge or a new skill can keep that same flame of curiosity ablaze in seniors. And children are the perfect people from whom to learn why the “whys” are so critically important.

8. Learn to Forgive

Children get upset all the time, but they don’t dwell on what or who upset them. The same applies to their anger. Watch two children playing. When they quarrel, they will frown, tattle, or quit a game. Give them about fifteen minutes, and they’ll happily play once more. The beauty of childhood is that the young don’t hold grudges. Children also don’t deny their loved ones hugs and kisses despite the emotions they might be feeling. It’s often said that the elderly get grumpier. For some individuals, this is true. If you have a short fuse, then take a cue from your grandkids. Be willing to forgive and forget. Life is too short to hold long grudges.

9. Live Truthfully

Young children can be very blunt, to the point where their bold honesty may ruffle some feathers. As they grow, they begin to learn the art of deception. They may deny knowledge of a certain incident or blame a sibling. It’s an easy pitfall for children. Unfortunately, it’s also an easy pitfall for adults. Little ears and young eyes are watching adults for their reactions to situations that demand the truth. Grandparents can be instrumental in helping their grandchildren learn that telling the truth is critically important. If you want your grandkids to continue being honest, make sure you also demonstrate that honesty is the best policy. It’s a great lesson for both the old and young!

10.  Live in Beauty

Leave it to a child to see the beauty in something as small as a caterpillar. Children love beauty. And while some people are enchanted by the beauty of nature throughout their lives, older adults may lose that connection as they age. However, scientists have discovered that nature is very beneficial to Boomers. Grandchildren, with their zeal for nature, can help grandparents get in touch with their roots. Simple things, like a walk around the park or picking flowers in a field, can help grandparents rediscover their own zeal for nature.