To learn more about what makes grandparents so special, we reached out to DeeDee Moore, grandmother and founder of More Than Grand, a site full of honest advice and valuable ideas for how grandparents can strengthen their bonds with their grandchildren. “Grandparents are cheerleaders, wish granters and mentors rolled into one: they are there for you no matter what,” DeeDee told Bored Panda.

We were also curious if the founder had ever been given any particularly great advice from a grandparent. “Not only does money not buy love or happiness, but it can actually get in the way of both,” she shared.

For those of us who are lucky enough to still having living grandparents around, DeeDee recommends not waiting to ask them about their lives growing up. “The better you know them, the more you'll appreciate them,” she shared.

“Grandparents would do anything for their grandchildren,” DeeDee added. “Make sure you don't take that for granted– be the one to reach out regularly.”

We also got in touch with Donne Davis, grandmother and founder of GaGa Sisterhood, a social network for enthusiastic, creative, caring women who indulge in the joy of being grandmothers, and she was kind enough to share her thoughts with Bored Panda as well. 

“Grandparents are special because they don’t have to be the rule enforcers. Instead, they get to be the funmeisters,” Donne says. “Grandparents get a chance to relive their childhood by being a playmate for their grandchild. They also get to be their grandchild’s cheerleader, sounding board, confidante, homework helper, and ‘snuggle-up-against’ when they need a big hug. Grandparents have more time to listen, more patience, and more time to play.”

Donne also shared that her grandmother Amelia was her best friend growing up. “She was a wonderful storyteller and told me about all the adventures she had traveling around the world,” she told Bored Panda. “She taught me to appreciate the people in my life because they are priceless treasures that are worth more than material possessions.”

“If your grandparents are still alive, ask them about your ancestors, what life was like when they were growing up, who their friends were, and what important life lessons they learned,” Donne continued.

“Ask your grandparents to tell you what your parents were like as children and any funny memories they had of them as teenagers. Ask your grandparents to tell you the story of how they met and fell in love,” Donne suggests. “Who were the biggest influences in their lives? What were the biggest mistakes they made and what did they learn from them?”

“I’ve been a grandma for 20 years, and I’ve been a big part of my 3 grandchildren’s lives since the day they were born. I witnessed 2 of their births. I’ve engaged with them at every stage of their lives,” she shared. “My oldest, Jay (they/them) is now doing their junior year abroad in Melbourne, Australia. We text each other every day to share our Wordle and Connections scores. I’m going to visit them next year and do some sightseeing together.”

“My 16-year-old granddaughter, Amelia, and I have traveled together, rode horses on the beach, and toured prospective college campuses together. I’ve helped her and her older sibling with many writing assignments,” Donne shared. “My youngest granddaughter, Sophia and I Zoom for an hour every weekend. She gives me drawing lessons and teaches me dance steps. I recently edited her first book, ‘The Girl Who Never Brushed Her Teeth,’ available in Spanish and English on Amazon.”

“I taught all my grandchildren to hula hoop and sing ‘Hoopy Birthday’ at their birthday parties. I hope I live long enough to stay engaged in their lives and see them mature into adults.”

Having grandparents in your life is such a blessing. They never visit empty-handed, whether that means bringing apple pie or a new toy, and they’re always your biggest supporters. When I was about 6-years-old, my grandmother visited from Ohio on my birthday and took me to the mall to go on a shopping spree. I got a few adorable tops and skirts, had lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant and returned home to have a fashion show for my family. 

To this day, my grandmother still talks about how much fun that experience was for her, and honestly, it’s one of my most cherished memories too. I still request a jar of strawberry jam when she sends a package to my family, and I’ll never forget the walks we took to her local ice cream shop to get a delicious cone during the summers I visited her as a kid.  

As a child, I thought my grandparents were magicians. My grandma would mail me a new Dorothy dress each year to wear for Halloween (as I had outgrown last year’s), and my grandfather built me an incredible doll house complete with tiny furniture. They would share stories of what my parents were like as children and teach me how to play games I had never even heard of.

And when it comes to the impact grandparents can have on their grandchildren’s lives, according to Wilmington Parent, they can be almost magical. Apparently, 90% of adults say that their grandparents impacted their beliefs and values, and children’s views of what a healthy, normal relationship looks like can be shaped by their own relationships with their grandparents. If they feel love and support from Grandma and Grandpa, they can better understand how to show affection and give love.     

Having grandparents around can even reduce a person’s stress levels. One 2014 study from Boston College found that “an emotionally close relationship between grandparent and grandchild is associated with fewer symptoms of depression for both generations.” Most grandparents also take pride in their role, as 72% believe being a grandmother or grandfather is the most important and satisfying thing in their lives. The reason those cookies taste so delicious is because they’re truly baked with love! 

Grandparents can also be the best babysitters the world has to offer. While it’s important that their kids don’t take advantage of using them for childcare, it can be a win-win for kids and grandparents to spend time together while Mom and Dad are out on date night. In fact, watching over grandchildren can even extend Grandma and Grandpa’s lifespans. According to a 2017 study by Dr. David Coall, senior lecturer at Edith Cowan University, grandparents who provided periodic babysitting for their grandchildren had a 37% lower risk of death than non-caregiving grandparents. 

We hope these precious photos are warming your hearts today, pandas. Whether you’re lucky enough to have your grandparents around today or you miss them with every fiber of your being, we hope this list has brought at least one smile to your face. Keep upvoting the pics that prove to you that we don’t deserve grandparents, and if you’re interested in viewing even more wholesome photos of grandmas and grandpas, we recommend checking out this list next!