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Grandparent involvement offers myriad multigenerational benefits.

The benefits of close relationships between children and grandparents extend well into adulthood.

Seniors benefit both socially and cognitively.

Multigenerational households are a growing trend in the US and Canada. Many sources cite economic reasons—the lack of affordable housing, childcare, and senior housing—but the benefits extend well beyond the financial. For many supporters of multi-generational family engagement, this trend is welcome news. In his recently published book, The Art and Science of Parenting and Grandparenting: Raising Emotionally Healthy Children in a Challenging World, author Kenneth Barish, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychology at Weill Cornell Medicine and a fellow of the American Psychological Association, explored the multigenerational benefits of grandparent involvement. He found that we all need close others who listen, especially children. This may ease their loneliness, show that conflict is not the end of the world, and that life challenges are surmountable.

Recent research findings offer an impressive list of benefits of close, multigenerational ties and active grandparent involvement in daily family life for all three generations.

For grandparentsFor grandparents, involvement in their grandchildren’s lives........

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