Each September, we celebrate grandparents. They hold a special place in a child’s life, often shaping their growth in meaningful ways—emotionally, socially, and mentally. Today, the role of the grandparent is multifaceted. Grandparents are family anchors, keepers of family history, caregivers, helpers, teachers, moral compasses, and playmates.

The role of grandparents has changed over time. A good amount of literature identifies that in the 1960s grandparents had a positive role in children’s attitudes and behavior. Grandparents provided an extra layer of support that promoted inspiration and motivation. They encouraged risk taking, patience, and tenacity.

Grandparents have also assisted with crises over the years with divorces, unemployment, and illnesses. Between school pick-up, childcare, and extracurricular activities, grandparents often take on important roles in a child’s development—serving as buddies, storytellers, and cheerleaders.

Children may question their parents’ responses or reactions, but when grandparents remain in their traditional role, their love and loyalty are rarely in doubt. In recent years, however, this role has become blurred, as more grandparents take on the responsibilities of primary caregivers.

Here’s some helpful tips to celebrate this important role and help encourage more grandparent participation:

Grandparents like making memories. For grandparents, spending time with their grandchildren isn’t a burden. It’s a gift and they enjoy these moments to make memories.

Providing care is a commitment. While it is a gift for grandparents, it’s also a commitment. So be mindful of their time and the time it takes them to drive or prepare to venture to activities or other places.

Share practical information for caring the way you wish. Remember that some grandparents are not up to date on all the latest research and things that have changed since they have cared for little ones. So be patient with their suggestions and provide information on ways to care for their grandchildren such as safe sleep or feeding tips. Offering a daily routine can be a helpful guide for them.

Storytelling. Prepare the little ones for the length of the stories being told but also the importance of understanding family history. It also helps to relay the value of hearing the story just as much as the value of being told.

Again, grandparents play an important role in children’s life and their development. They offer grandchildren a great source of stability with unconditional love and valuable life lessons that can often connect them to family history and traditions. Promoting and supporting these core relationships can have lasting positive effects on children’s development.