Grandchildren - the secret of longevity of grandparents.

In this article you will learn:
How the presence of a grandmother in the family affects the number and survival of grandchildren
What benefits do older people have in dealing with children?
What to do if there are no grandchildren

Female grind, black dolphins, live for about 60 years, although the ability to reproduce ceases at age 35. Having matured, their sons go free swimming, and their daughters remain with their mother, "pampering" broods of dolphins. Grinda’s grandmother is just glad: she takes care of babies, teaches, and even feeds with milk (yes, you can imagine, if there are grandchildren, lactation continues even after menopause) ... Mothers look after the babies, but they can give a little - not yet gained experience. Therefore, it is on grandmothers that the survival of the younger generation is based. And the males? Fathers do not take part in raising a child and ... live about 40 years, by the way, like females without grandchildren. This nuance prompted scientists to speculate: just like old women ensure the survival of babies, just like babies are the key to longevity of grandmothers.

“What do we have to do with it?”, You ask. “We are not dolphins!” You exclaim. Yes, but a lot in common. In particular, we are also mammals, women also have menopause, after which they lead an active life for a long time, we are social animals and practice the "cult of the grandmother" (and this is rare in nature). Curious: the scientists of the University of Turku found out that the presence of a grandmother in the family on the father's side contributes to a greater number of grandchildren, on the mother's side - reduces the mortality of grandchildren. This rule works in families where the ancestress takes at least a small part in the lives of children and grandchildren. Notice the similarities to grinds?

Speaking of similarities with the animal world. In some species of mammals, this distribution of roles is observed: older individuals are involved in caring for babies, they are taught to hunt, defend themselves, choose (create) a home, and young parents at this time continue to grow up, “fill up cones” of experience. Doesn’t resemble anything ?!

Why is it important to communicate with your grandchildren?
The useful role of the ancestors in the child’s life is obvious (we are talking about adequate, mentally and physically healthy people). Like other adults, they can protect, take care, suggest, teach, play, pamper such non-independent people. And the role of grandchildren in the lives of grandparents is not so obvious. Moreover, it is natural for a person to see only the face that he wants to see ... Research will help to open other angles:

Antidepressant
Scientists at Boston University conducted research from 1985 to 2004, observing the state of mental health of 340 grandchildren and their 376 grandparents. It turned out that in those families where active, good relations between the younger and older generations - neither of them suffered from depression, nervous breakdowns, stress resistance, satisfaction with life and a sense of happiness were observed.

Stronger immunity, prevention of dementia
When ancestors spend time with their grandson sporadically (see 1-2 days in 1-2 weeks), the child is resistant to diseases, and in adults - to "senile senility". That is, both grandmothers and grandfathers who babysit are much less susceptible to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It is explained by the positive influence of positive emotions (work at the hormonal level) and the need to constantly be in good shape and develop (work at the level of neurons).

Longevity
The analogy with grinds is beautiful and, which is nice, has confirmation in the world of people. Statistics say: lonely old people often get sick and die earlier than those who often and with pleasure communicate with children.

Grandma for an hour is no joke
It is important to note that the above three points are relevant for men. And the body doesn’t care for whose children it carries out its genetic program - communication with both its grandchildren and neighboring children is equally beneficial and prolongs the life of older people. The main thing is that communication should be pleasant for both generations, so that old people can see that they really need them. A striking example is Leo Tolstoy: he devoted most of his life to his family and strangers, raised his grandchildren - he lived 82 years. Apparently, he knew something ...

Many old people experience an intuitive craving for children. Not for nothing they say: "What is old, what is young." But what if fate did not work out, didn’t manage to surround itself with children? Why not become a “grandmother for an hour” ?! The idea is not new: in some regions of Russia social projects have been introduced to help young families find a nanny among single people of retirement age. Everything is good, everyone is happy: claims and conflicts are excluded on the topic of whether ancestors should sit with a child.
Speaking of claims about “must / should not”. Each family has its own views, they are so subjective that even experienced psychologists do not give general recommendations on how to build good relations between generations ... But, if you have to prove to someone that not only children need grandparents, but also why old people It’s useful to communicate with grandchildren - read them about grinds.