Children benefit hugely from the wisdom, learning and fun provided by the UK's estimated 14 million grandparents.
One study found that children whose grandparents were highly involved in their care had fewer emotional and behavioural issues. And it's not just the kids that benefit - according to an Age UK/YouGov poll, grandparents said that looking after grandchildren helped them to stay physically and mentally active, feel less lonely and gain a sense of purpose. Nearly all those who responded said they enjoyed time with their grandchildren and the opportunity to watch them flourish.
To help grandparents give their little ones the best chance to flourish, Tiny Happy People has launched a new grandparents' section full of ideas and advice tailored to them.
To celebrate its launch in time for Grandparents Day 2022, we caught up with Waterloo Road star, Morning Live presenter and proud grandma Kym Marsh.
Kym is 'Yaya' (grandma) to her daughter Emilie's step-daughter Polly, aged 6 and son Teddy, aged 3. Her son David recently welcomed her grandson Clayton to the world too, in August 2022.
We spoke to her all about being a young grandma and all the fun she has with the grandkids.
How did you feel when you first became a grandparent?
I always knew I would be a young grandparent because of how old I was when I had my children.
I was 42 when I found out I was going to be a grandparent. It still came as a bit of a shock but I was so excited. Both me and Emilie鈥檚 dad were thrilled to bits. Then, of course, meeting Teddy was on another level.
I was one of Emilie鈥檚 birthing partners and it was the most magical experience seeing my daughter become a mother herself.
When did you first notice that Teddy was responding to you and interacting with you?
When Teddy was born, Emilie and her partner Mikey lived with us, so I was having daily contact with him. He started to smile and recognise my face and very quickly it became clear he thought I was hilarious to look at!
Teddy is a very responsive and loving child. He is very sociable and loves interacting with people.
Does Teddy have any particular favourite activities to do with you?
Teddy is quite boisterous! He has a pop-up tent and loves to pretend he is a fireman. He is getting more into role play and also loves to draw. He鈥檚 a clever boy. He has just started pre-school and is really enjoying it.
He loves us reading stories to him. He also loves dancing and music, which he definitely gets from our side of the family! We like to sit and read and sing together.
How are you finding being a grandparent of young children compared to parenting your own kids?
When Emilie and David were little I was a stay-at-home mum, and then I started working and naturally became a lot busier though I always had family around me to help me out.
I鈥檓 still a very busy person, but as a grandma I try to make as much time as I can. I like to think they will all grow up knowing that, even though I鈥檓 busy, I will always be there for them.
When Teddy stays with us we try to stick to the routine set by Emilie and Mikey, although he probably gets more sweets when he鈥檚 with me!
He is really good and goes to bed without a problem. He has a hot chocolate and knows that means it鈥檚 bedtime soon.
There is certainly a specific bond between a grandparent and their grandchildren. It鈥檚 a little different to the one you have with your own children. I do love to have all the fun with Teddy - and then to pass him back when it鈥檚 time to negotiate naps!
What do your grandchildren call you and why?
I was delighted to become a grandparent but I didn鈥檛 want to be called 鈥楪randma鈥 or 鈥楴anna鈥. So I started looking at other names.
My husband Scott liked the idea of being called 鈥楶op鈥. Polly, Emilie鈥檚 stepdaughter, has always called me 鈥楲olly鈥 and I thought it would be nice to be called 鈥楲olly鈥 and 鈥楶op鈥.
As Teddy started talking he began calling me 鈥榊aya鈥, I think he was trying to say 鈥楲olly鈥, and it just stuck from there. But I looked it up and Yaya is actually a name for grandmother in Greek!
Check out Tiny Happy People's new set of activities and tips for grandparents.
