The Big Role of Grandparents

A New Met Life Life Study, conducted in partnership with Generations United entitled Grandparents Investing in Grandchildren: The MetLife Study on How Grandparents Share Their Time, Values, and Money, provides a hint of the contributions grandparents make to the lives of their grandchildren in passing down important values as well as providing care and financial assistance.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Two in 10 grandparents say they are living in a multi-generational household; 30%
åÊåÊ of those households include grandchildren.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Just over one in 10 grandparents (13%) provides care on a regular basis for at least
åÊåÊ one grandchild. Of those, 32% are providing care five or more days per week.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Topping the list of very important values grandparents wish to pass down are
åÊåÊ honesty (88%), good behavior (82%), self-sufficiency (70%), higher education
åÊåÊ (69%), and good health habits (68%).

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ The majority (62%) of grandparents have provided financial support or monetary
åÊåÊ gifts for grandchildren within the past five years. The total average amount provided
åÊåÊ over the past five years among this group for all grandchildren was $8,289 total,
åÊåÊ with more than half having given up to $5,000.

In a companion publication, Grandparents Investing in Grandchildren, Actions Speak Louder Than Words, they outline ways grandparents can guide and help their grandchildren. Here are the highlights. Get the publication for the details.
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Model and Teach the Values You Believe in the Most

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Teach Your Grandchildren to Make a Difference by Giving of Time and Money

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Discuss How Every Vote Counts

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Explore Your Culture, Your Heritage

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Celebrate Family

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Record an Audio/Video Message

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Create a Family Tree

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Start Cooking

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Preserve History for the Future

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Invest in Your Grandchildren‰Ûªs Financial Security

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Foster Early Saving Habits

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Encourage Smart Spending

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Make Grand Investments