Should adult grandchildren help support grandparents?

Yes

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by Lynne Marie

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As an adult, if it is within your means, that you should help to support your grandparents. This support could come in many forms, such as emotional, physical, and/or financial. During your youth, it is most likely that your grandparents helped in supporting you, and now it is your turn to return the favor.

My grandmother was sixty seven years old when I was twenty three. I was a single mother of two at the time, and had a very good paying job. My children (then one and four years old) and I would spend every Sunday with my grandmother. She would prepare a big dinner for us and we would watch movies all day. While it was hard for her to get around the kitchen, she enjoyed the two of us being in there together just like when I was a young child. It lifted her spirits to have my little ones around, as she pampered them just as she had done with me when I was their age. When all was said and done, I washed all of the dishes, cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom, and made sure her house was tidy before we left. Throughout the day I would do random chores for her. Help sort through and organize mail, do a load of laundry or two, empty and take out garbage, clean the shower and tub... These are all things that you and I do with ease on a daily basis, but can be a much harder task for the elderly.

Financially, my grandmother struggled on her fixed income. I made it a point to help out when I could. Sometimes it mean paying her water bill every two months. Sometimes it meant paying her co-pays on her vast amount of medication. As long as my bills were already taken care of, I didn't mind doing this for her. I mean, after all, would I have had that extensive Barbie collection growing up if it weren't for her?! She wrote a check for every one of her grand and great grand kids for each holiday. Ten dollars for easter, twenty for birthdays, ten for Halloween, fifty for Christmas... I never cashed the check written to me, nor the ones written to my children. It was the thought that counted, and I knew she needed it more than I did.

Emotional support is the most frequent that the elderly need. When your grandparent calls you on the telephone, don't brush them off. Listen to the story they want to tell you - even if you have already heard it a thousand times. If they want to tell you how terrible the weather is - even though you're driving in it and can clearly see - just listen anyway, it makes them feel important. If your grandma insists on telling you how to potty train your baby, you don't have to follow her instructions, but you can smile politely and tell her you'll definitely try her technique.

Picking up a few extra grocery items at the store, doing a bit of cleaning, andd spending quality time with your loved ones won't kill you. Supporting your grandparents is important. After all, they are the reason you are here!

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