From the Founder, Brian Mazza 3/16
Grandparents Are a Competitive Advantage
In the conversation around raising strong, resilient kids, there is a variable that often gets overlooked.
Grandparents.
Not as babysitters.
Not just as family members we see during the holidays.
But as one of the most powerful developmental advantages a child can have.
In a world obsessed with optimization, youth training, private coaching, tutors, and specialized development programs, we sometimes forget that one of the greatest influences on a child’s emotional and psychological development has existed for generations.
The presence of another generation.
And the research backs this up.
Recent studies show that children who receive emotional support from grandparents in early childhood demonstrate greater emotional wellbeing later in life, even into adulthood.
Other research shows that strong grandparent involvement helps improve children’s resilience, social skills, self control, and emotional development.
In other words, grandparents are not just family members.
They are developmental assets.
And I have seen this firsthand with my own boys.
Every time Leo and Luke sleep over at Poppa and Grandma’s house, I notice something almost immediately when they come home.
There is a calmness to them.
They seem more at peace.
It is almost like their nervous system got a reset.
They walk through the door relaxed, grounded, and happy.
And almost every single time they come home with something new they learned from Poppa.
Some historical story.
A sports fact.
Something about the way things used to be done.
There is always some nugget of wisdom that made its way into their minds during those hours together.
Maybe it is Poppa telling stories.
Maybe it is my mother’s incredible cooking.
Or maybe it is just the environment that grandparents naturally create.
But whatever it is, it is powerful to watch.
Because what grandparents often provide is something that is hard to manufacture anywhere else.
Perspective.
Parents have a different role. We are responsible for structure, discipline, standards, and pushing our kids to grow. We have to enforce rules and guide them through difficult lessons.
Grandparents operate from a different place.
They offer patience.
They offer perspective.
They offer unconditional support.
And that combination helps children build confidence and emotional security.
Unfortunately my wife’s parents live far away, so we do not get to see them nearly as often.
But every time they are around my boys, I notice the exact same thing.
The boys slow down.
They listen.
They soak in the attention, the stories, the energy.
You can feel the bond forming even in a short window of time.
And it reminds me that this connection is bigger than proximity.
It is generational.
Years ago families often lived in the same town. Sometimes even in the same neighborhood. Kids saw their grandparents constantly.
Today families are spread out across cities, states, and sometimes countries.
But technology has eliminated the excuse.
Five minute FaceTime calls after school.
Grandparents watching games through livestream.
Reading bedtime stories through video.
Talking about school projects.
Sharing family stories.
Connection does not require proximity.
It requires intention.
High performance families understand something important.
Development is never accidental.
If grandparents bring wisdom, grounding, identity, and emotional support into a child’s life, then we should build systems that keep them involved.
Call them.
Put them on speaker in the car ride home.
Let them watch games.
Encourage your kids to ask them questions about their childhood, their work, their mistakes, and their victories.
Because when a child understands where they come from, they develop a stronger sense of who they are.
And identity is the foundation of confidence.
If your parents or your in laws are still around, cherish those moments with them and your kids.
Do not take them for granted.
The presence of grandparents in a child’s life is a super drug.
It calms them.
It grounds them.
It connects them to something bigger than themselves.
High performance is rarely built alone.
It is built across generations.
The wisdom of grandparents.
The guidance of parents.
The potential of children.
When those three generations stay connected, something very powerful happens.
You do not just raise kids.
You build legacy.
Thank you Poppa, Grandma, Pahpoo, and Grandma
