If you grew up in India, chances are your childhood had a grandparent-shaped safety net—a warm, wrinkled hug that smelled like talcum powder and unconditional love. I know mine did.
My Dadu (grandfather) was my everything—friend, philosopher, guide, and unofficial lawyer when I needed someone to argue with my parents on my behalf. He told the best bedtime stories, sneaked me extra mangoes in the summer, and had a solution for every crisis (mostly involving turmeric or coconut oil).
My husband? Not so lucky. He grew up away from his grandparents and missed out on those “Eat more beta, you’re too thin!” moments. And now, history repeats itself—our kids are growing up away from their grandparents too. Not by choice, but by practicality. Work, schools, and life keep us apart, turning grandparent-grandchild bonding into an event rather than an everyday affair.
So, in today’s world of long-distance families and video calls, what exactly is the role of grandparents in Indian parenting? And how do we bridge the gap between generations when geography plays villain?
⸻
1. The Grandparent Superpower: Unconditional Love (With Extra Ghee!)
There’s something magical about grandparental love—it’s pure, over-the-top, and comes with zero rules.
Parents: “No more chocolate, beta. It’s too much sugar.”Grandparents: “Arrey, one more won’t hurt! Let them enjoy.”
Parents: “Screen time limit is over.” Grandparents: “But they were watching Krishna cartoons! It’s educational!”
Grandparents believe in love without conditions, discipline without consequences, and pampering without logic. And honestly? Sometimes, that’s exactly what kids need.
When our kids visit their grandparents (or vice versa), they get a taste of this rare, golden love—the kind that ignores tantrums, forgives instantly, and always, ALWAYS comes with a snack.
⸻
2. Storytellers, Memory Keepers & Walking History Books
Grandparents are our living history books—keepers of stories we’d otherwise never know.
My Dadu used to tell me tales of his childhood in pre-independence India, of rivers that flowed cleaner, of games played without batteries, of a time when people actually wrote letters instead of WhatsApp messages. And I drank it all in.
Our kids? They’re growing up in a world of short-form content and instant gratification. And that’s exactly why grandparent stories matter even more today.
When they sit on Dadu’s lap and hear, “When I was your age…”, it’s not just a story. It’s a bridge between generations.
Even if they roll their eyes today, these tales will anchor them someday—reminding them where they came from, shaping who they become.
⸻
3. The Parenting Hack We All Need
Let’s be honest—parenting is hard. And if you’re a mom juggling work, tantrums, meal planning, and existential crises, you’ve probably thought:
“God, I wish my mom was here to handle this child for five minutes.”
Because grandparents are the ultimate parenting hack:
- They know how to calm a screaming baby (better than Google).
- They handle toddler meltdowns like seasoned warriors.
- They don’t believe in “sleep regressions”—they just make the baby sleep.(Seriously, how?)
In India, many families still live in joint setups, where grandparents play an active role in daily child-rearing. And while we live away, whenever we visit, I make full use of this free babysitting service disguised as love.
Because let’s be real—when Nana-Nani or Dadu-Dida are around, I finally get to drink my coffee while it’s still hot.
⸻
4. The Emotional Dilemma: Near or Far, Love Stays the Same
Here’s the hard part—our kids won’t have the daily grandparental presence we grew up with. And that hurts.
I want them to have:
- The bedtime stories, the long walks, the “eat more beta” moments.
- The endless patience that only grandparents have (because unlike us, they’re not sleep-deprived zombies).
- The feeling of absolute safety that comes from knowing someone will always, always be on their side.
But life has other plans. So, we do the next best thing:
- Video calls that turn into long, chaotic conversations.
- Festive visits where kids get spoiled rotten.
- Letters, voice notes, surprise gifts—anything to keep the bond alive.
Because here’s the truth:
Even if our kids don’t grow up with their grandparents, they’ll still grow up knowing them.
And that’s enough. Because love travels. Across cities, across time zones, across generations.
⸻
Final Thoughts: Let’s Keep the Magic Alive
While our kids may not have the luxury of growing up under the same roof as their grandparents, they still have something special—the chance to experience their love, even if from a distance.
So, let’s make it count:
- Make those visits happen. No matter how chaotic, they’re worth it.
- Capture moments—stories, laughs, recipes, traditions. They’re heirlooms in the making.
- Let them be spoiled. A little extra love never hurt anyone.
Because one day, when our kids are grown and we’re the ones video-calling their kids, we’ll want the same thing—to remind them that no matter where they are, home is always just a call (or a train ride) away.
⸻
What’s your favorite grandparent memory? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear! And if you’re a fellow long-distance grandparent-parenting juggler, tell me: How do you keep the bond alive?
Leave a comment