A study from BeGrand.net has revealed just how important the role of grandparents is and has been in instilling respect, manners and belief in the UK. Many children now see their grandparents as confidants or counsellors. As the structure of the British family becomes increasingly diverse, there has been a growing reliance on grandparents financially, emotionally or otherwise during children’s upbringing. As such, the issue of grandparenting is now a hot topic for the political parties ahead of the forthcoming election.

New research released reveals that grandparents are still key to instilling traditional values in the UK. Over half of Brits say they have learnt respect and manners from them, 48% say their grandparents showed them the difference between right and wrong and 24% said they taught them to believe in themselves.

A third of today’s grandchildren say their grandparents are like ‘second parents’ with many seeing them as a ‘confidant’ or ‘counsellor’ in times of need.

The structure of the British family is becoming increasingly diverse with more reliance on grandparents for financial and or emotional upbringing which has led to grandparenting becoming a hot topic for the political parties ahead of the forthcoming election.

So what is this new initiative and how can it help grandparents with the challenges they may face?