'Beacon of hope': Grandparents' pivotal role in modern parenting world

Having healthy grandparents around can provide valuable social support and foster a sense of community for mothers. — Monkey Business Images/Dreamstime/TNS

IN THE bustling world of parenting, where the to-do list seems never-ending, there’s a new beacon of hope – grandparents. A study from Finland, dubbed the “happiest country in the world,” reveals the significant positive impact of grandparental support on a mother’s mental health.

“Having healthy grandparents around can provide valuable social support and foster a sense of community for mothers,” Dr Gifty G Ampadu, an attending psychologist at Montefiore Medical Center’s Child Outpatient Psychiatry Department, explained to Good Housekeeping. This support ranges from childcare assistance to sharing parenting duties, especially for single or separated mothers, and enriches the grandchildren’s mental well-being through regular interaction.