National Grandparents Day: How to celebrate with grandma and grandpa

Today is National Grandparents’ Day in the US. The holiday is celebrated on the Sunday after Labor Day, meaning that this year it falls on Sunday, September 8.

The holiday is similar to Mother’s and Father’s Day and the activities that families can partake in are quite similar. A special lunch or dinner can be cooked at home or out at a local restaurant, always ensuring that those who are being celebrated can put their feet up and spend time with those they love.

Additionally, grandchildren who live far away should give their grandparents a call, or if able to plan ahead, a card in the mail expressing your love and appreciation for the love and care they have given you.

Finding ways to spend extra time with your grandparents can be a great way to continue building a relationship. Talking about their childhood and what life was like for them when they were starting to raise their own children can bridge intergenerational divides that are quite strong in the US. With many elderly people tucked away in nursing homes or trapped at home because there are no reliable transport systems around, intergenerational interactions are limited and should be prioritized.

The White House marks the occasion

The White House released a proclamation marking the holiday, with President Biden noting the work of grandparents all over the country helping to raise their grandchildren. “For so many Americans, grandparents are the first people they look to for comfort, love, and guidance,” reads the proclamation signed by President Biden. President Biden is the eighth president to celebrate the holiday which dates back to the presidency of Jimmy Carter.

The White House also acknowledged the growing reality of grandparents stepping up to be the primary caregiver for children in the US and how the federal government must work to support these individuals to keep children out of the foster care system.