A study was recently performed in the United Kingdom that has very applicable meaning around the world. The study by Oxford University found that grandparents who are actively involved in a child’s life have an incredibly important role that can increase a child’s security and well being.

For a grandparent to have such a profound impact on a child, the older adult must take an active role. That means she’s not just loving on her grandchildren, but she’s showing that love by taking them to the neighborhood swimming pool, taking Junior to soccer practice on occasion and cheering the loudest at the weekend games.

The study found what most parents already know. When two parents are working, there are gaps in how much the parents can do with the children. Active grandparents fill these gaps making the child extra secure in the amount of love and support he has from all the caring adults in his life.

Even children whose parents divorce fair much better both in the short run and long run as they have a soft layer of protection in the form of their grandparents. Further, grandparents are vital as children age. Older children and adolescences are more prone to tell their thoughts and feelings to grandparents than their parents.

If you have active grandparents living nearby, count your blessings many times over.

When new babies come home, many new parents are clueless as to how they will survive the feedings around the clock and the constant needs of that new baby. Sleepless nights and incessant demands from a seven pound child can be exhausting, but you can survive.

Take Turns
If baby is waking every two hours, take turns feeding the baby so the other parent can get some sleep. If mom is breastfeeding, dad can feed a bottle of expressed milk during one feeding or just bring the baby to mom and change the diaper after the feeding letting more stay in bed at least.

Nap
New babies sleep around the clock, and so should you. Dishes and vacuuming will wait. When baby naps, you nap, too. Then when baby is awake take care of chores while wearing her close to your chest or letting her watch you in action.

Stay Comfortable
Nobody expects you to be dressed and primped for the day with a young baby. Invest in some good loungewear and wear it to bed and up around the house. Stay comfortable so you don’t waste any time changing clothes to nap. Loungewear is also easy to wash following exploding diapers or spit-up.