This Sunday (27 October) is National Grandparents Day – a day to celebrate the joy of grandparenting and the contributions grandparents make to their families and communities.

Rural grandparents play a mighty role in rural and regional areas, stepping up on a day-to-day basis due to lack of care facility positions for working parents and distance to care centres, but mostly for the love of family.

Gabrielle Holmes of Collerina between Nyngan and Tottenham knows what it is like to bring up kids kilometres from town on a busy farm.

Now she and husband Joe are involved grandparents, she says she loves it and wouldn’t change a thing.

“Grandparents are important in rural areas as they can sometimes recognise from past experience what is coming at young families and be ready to give practical support while not interfering.”

Joe Holmes with granddaughter Betty in the sheep yards - Image supplied.

This Sunday experts from Triple P - Positive Parenting Program are shining a light on the important role grandparents play in building happy, resilient families.

Grandparenting can provide positive health and wellbeing outcomes, according to Dr Alan Ralph, Triple P International Head of Training at Triple P.

Looking after grandchildren to build connections, and nurture and support both the children and their parents can be a joyful experience for all the generations.

“However, while there are advantages to playing an active role, grandparenting can also be stressful, impacting wellbeing and possibly relationships within the family,” Dr Ralph said.

“Family disruptions, pressure, and economic hardships are seeing grandparents step into more involved caregiver roles for grandchildren."

In Australia, around 60,000 grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren, which can pose unique challenges.

“Studies have recognised that grandparent caregivers can experience increased stress, anxiety

or depression related to their caregiving role, which can then have a ripple effect on those around them,” he said.

“Children pick up on a lot more than we might think and one of those things is our own stress and anxiety. So, it’s important to find ways to look after your wellbeing while supporting adult children and building healthy relationships with grandchildren, said Dr Ralph.

Debbie Matheson of Nyngan says her grandchildren keep her young and any way she and her husband Greg can help out with the grandchildren they will.

“It is the most amazing feeling being a grandparent,” says Mrs Matheson.

"I thought when we had our own two sons nothing could compare but I was wrong, being a grandparent is extra special. We are loved all over again.”

While the majority of grandparents find their contributions to the family dynamics rewarding it can be tiring and at times hard work.

Grandparents Day can be a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of the older generation and remind families to take care of each other, and themselves.

Assistant Principal Curriculum & Instruction and Former Principal of Hermidale Public School Skye Dedman says in small rural schools the intergenerational connections are valued by everyone.

“We acknowledge and cherish the special bond that grandparents have with their grandchildren. It is heart-warming to see grandparents at school evens including assemblies and school celebrations.

“Many grandparents are former students or former parents so have a long-term association with the school,” said Mrs Dedman.

“Grandparent day at schools is an opportunity to embrace inter-generational learning and to listen and learn from each other,” she said.

“My kids would await with keen anticipation to see their Nanna walk through the doors to watch their assembly. As parents who both were often unable to attend, it was very special to us, knowing their Nanna was there for them.”

There are lots of ways you can celebrate this year, with activities like these: 

• have morning tea or bake a cake 
• send your grandparents a drawing or card
• read a book together
• write a play, choreograph a dance, learn a song or prepare a talent show to perform for your grandparents 
• play a board game or do a puzzle 
• call your grandparents and recite their favourite poem
• share old photos with your grandchildren and tell your stories

In the meantime - this is a day to spend time with an older loved one and connect across the generations.

Take a minute to show some love to your Grandparents this weekend and make some memories.