4 Incredible Life-Changing Benefits of Children Growing up with Grandparents
Multigenerational households are becoming increasingly common in the U.S., with grandparents living under the same roof as their children and grandchildren. While saving money is one of the best-known benefits, a child psychologist says grandchildren stand to gain much more.
Read more in our story.
A broader support network helps a child become more resilient in the face of challenges.
Dr. Becky Fenton, a clinical psychologist who works with children, teens, and families on Long Island, New York, says one of the biggest benefits of living with grandparents is having a wider support network. That gives children a stronger safety net to fall back on, even when they take risks and things don’t work out.
Having a grandparent at home can also make childcare easier in an emergency or when a parent has to work late. Since grandparents are more likely to be retired or working fewer hours, they can often make it to school performances and games, too.
Grandparents also benefit from living with their grandchildren.
Fenton said that spending time with grandchildren can help ward off depression in later life. Grandparents who feel connected to their families believe they’re living meaningful lives.
That benefits children, too. Grandparents in better mental and overall health are able to spend more time playing with their grandchildren.
Having more adults in the household can lead to more frequent family meals, which may help protect adolescents from substance use.
Fenton said that sharing a family meal—even just once a week—can lower a child’s risk of substance use and mental health problems. Family meals strengthen communication, she explained, making children more likely to turn to their families for support rather than use substances to cope with difficulties.
A study published in February 2026 examined data from 2,090 U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17. High-quality family meals were associated with 22% to 34% lower substance use among teens who had experienced no adverse childhood experiences or had experienced them at low to moderate levels. For teens with severe adverse experiences, however, family meals offered little protection.
Children who live with their grandparents may be less likely to hold ageist views.
According to Fenton, these children gain a closer understanding of their family’s culture, which can help them make sense of their parents’ behavior. Fenton also noted that children who live with their grandparents tend to feel more at ease around older adults.
This living arrangement can also foster a sense of the importance of staying connected with extended family. Over time, that can help children build stronger relationships with their aunts, uncles, and cousins.
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