Sunday, Sept. 8 is National Grandparents Day, a day meant to celebrate grandparents. Grandparents are oftentimes the beginnings of a living three generational family Grandparents continue to help hold families together.
The day was celebrated for the first time in Poland in 1965. In the United States, it’s always the first Sunday following Labor Day.
Marian McQuade, a West Virginia housewife, is recognized as the founder of the day. McQuade educated the youth in her community about the important contributions senior citizens have made in their community and in the country, throughout history. She urged the youth to adopt a grandparent for a lifetime and not simply just one day a year. But her efforts spurred the start of grandparents day, where grandparents are recognized for their help and love and wisdom.
The statute that President Jimmy Carter signed proclaimed that this was a day to “honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”
On this day, many people honor their grandparents through a range of various activities and gifts. About four million greeting cards are sent within the United States each year on National Grandparents Day. The official flower for the day is the “forget-me-not” flower.
According to the census data, in Minnesota, there are 67,000 grandparents living with their own grandchildren who are under the age of 18.
And 31% of the grandparents living with their grandchildren under the age of 18 are responsible for their grandchildren. The census completed the study to learn about families that have help from their grandparents, particularly to help some families enroll in programs that might be of assistance to them.
Specifically in rural communities where childcare is hard to find, what is known as FFN care, family, friends, and neighbor care, is becoming more popular for families to utilize. Families are arranging their weeks in chunks of time where different people either come to their house or they go to them to provide a safe place for their children as parents go to work.
Resources like Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) are in place to help families with infants to kindergarten by providing services to parents and relatives.
The relationship between a child and grandparent can have positive effects on both generations. A study from the University of Oxford showed that kids who spend time with their grandparents don’t have as many behavioral problems or emotional issues as those that don’t. Another study shows that when a child spends time with their grandparents, they’re less likely to have prejudice towards older adults in the future. And grandparents who see their children are oftentimes more healthier and happier, says the study. And the majority of grandparents wish they could spend even more time with their grandchildren.
Here’s a huge shout out to the grandparents that help their children and give love to their grandchildren, who spoil their grandchildren, who teach them how to bake cookies and say cute nonsense. You are a lifeline for your children and there aren’t enough words to give you enough gratitude.
Thank you Grandparents!
Local News
