When it comes to staying young at heart, there’s nothing quite like grandchildren. And it turns out that as well as keeping you on your toes, spending time with your grandkids can also help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Yep, your little ones may be exhausting! But by increasing your brain function and memory they can actually help keep Alzheimer’s at bay.
The facts
If you live in the same city as your grandkids, you can bet that there will be a whole lot of babysitting on the horizon. And according to the latest research, you’ll score more than just brownie points for doing your babysitting duties.
Published by the North American Menopause Society, the study involved 186 post-menopausal women, 120 of them grandmothers who took on babysitting duties once a week. Amazingly, results revealed that grandmothers who helped with childcare at least one day a week scored higher on cognitive tests than their non-babysitting counterparts. As a result, researchers are maintaining that babysitting grandkids could potentially lower the risk of developing age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Incredible? We certainly think so.
Swapping depression for nappies
Furthermore, a separate study from the Institute on Aging at Boston College found that building strong relationships with grandchildren can help decrease the risk of depression. Not only for the grandparent, but also for the grandchild. The researchers maintain as relationships flourish and mature, it helps grandparents combat the social isolation that can come with ageing. For little ones, spending time with grandma and grandpa helps establish a richer sense of self, a link to family heritage and important relationship models.
“The greater emotional support grandparents and adult grandchildren received from one another, the better their psychological health,” comments lead researcher Sara Moorman.
Activity inspiration
Stuck for ideas on how to keep the grandkids entertained next time you sign up for babysitting duties? Here are some activities that are guaranteed to please:
- Help your grandkids develop a sense of adventure by building tents and fortresses indoors, and out!
- Dive into your family history by creating a family tree. Here are some great family tree templates to get you started.
- Kids love a buzz of activity, so why not bring them along to your local farmer’s market to help you pick out ingredients?
- Birdwatching is a fantastic pastime, so why not buy your little one a pair of binoculars and get them excited about our feathery friends?
- For older grandkids, starting a family book club is a great way to spark conversation.
- Memory boxes are a lovely way to help your grandkids express themselves, and what’s important to them.
- Share your love of hobbies by teaching your grandchildren to master your favourite past times. From baking and knitting to woodwork and yoga, there’s no reason why the kids can’t join in too!
- Nurture green thumbs by building your own special garden with your grandkids. Be as simple or as extravagant as you like, planting everything from flowers and herbs to veggies and fruit trees.
Have any ideas or inspiration you’d like to share? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comment section below!
Whether it’s the joy of seeing your child become a parent or the sheer relief of being able to hand back a baby when it starts bawling, there’s something incredible about becoming a grandparent. And now, it turns out that babysitting can help you stay sharp as a tack in your twilight years!