Why grandparents are critical in teaching kids healthy habits

‍Since grandparents now care for around 1 in 5 Aussie kids while their parents work, it’s more important than ever for them to help establish lifelong healthy habits. 

By Paula Goodyer

If you’re a grandparent like me, you raised your kids in a world where there was less junk food, and families had just one kind of screen: a teeny TV beaming out a handful of programs for kids – but only at fixed times. 

It’s not easy helping raise grandkids in a time when around 40% of the average child’s diet is made up of junk, most homes have multiple screens – and your idea of healthy food for kids isn’t always the same as their parents.

The fact that 24% of children in New Zealand are being cared for by a grandparent while their parents work means grandparents have real influence on the health habits of their grandkids. So how are grandparents doing when it comes to feeding kids nutritious food, setting limits on screen time and helping kids stay physically active?

With food, for example, while some grandparents dished out too many treats, others reported that it was the parents’ use of junk food that made it harder to stick with healthy food. 

Fussy eating was another challenge, and reducing screen time became difficult if parents allowed kids to take their devices with them to their grandparents, says Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis, Principal Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences.  

So what are some strategies grandparents can use to navigate the challenges and help our grandkids build healthy habits?

Agree some ground rules with the parents

“Research has found that there can be tension between parents and grandparents around food and screen use. Some parents worry that if they bring up any concerns, the grandparents might refuse to look after the kids – while some grandparents think that raising any issues might mean they’d see less of the kids,” Dr Jongenelis says.

Don’t wait for problems to arise while you’re looking after the kids is her advice. Instead, establish some guidelines together at the start about food and screen times, and decide if some rules are non-negotiable. But accept that there are likely to be differences in your approaches – it’s okay for kids to learn that things are different at grandma’s place, she adds.

Create a healthy food environment 

Offer kids a variety of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains with different textures; try brown rice, quinoa, couscous and barley, for instance and a variety of different breads. Make sure there’s nutritious food within easy reach. 

Aim to eat most meals and snacks at the table with the kids and offer cut-up pieces of vegetables and fruit that are easy to eat. Include treat foods occasionally as a part of meals and snacks. But don’t pressure kids to eat new foods if they refuse them at first, instead try reintroducing them later and remember that building healthy eating habits in kids is a marathon, not a sprint.

Involve the kids in making food

Let the grandkids make some decisions about what to eat, and let them help with preparing food, especially anything that’s messy or fun. Fun in this case means things like cracking and beating eggs, stirring muffin mixtures, kneading dough, or mashing veggies.  

Do things together with food – that don’t involve eating

Planting vegetables, letting them choose fruit and vegetables when you shop, reading stories about healthy foods are all ways of familiarising kids with food without making them feel any pressure to eat – this is an especially good tip for helping fussy eaters feel comfortable around food, Dr Jongenelis says.   

You’ll also find some creative food activities to do with kids like planting herbs in eggshells, and making stamps out of veggies on her website here.

Find non-food ways to manage big feelings

“Our research found that some grandparents used food as a way of comforting kids when they were upset but that sends a message that ‘this feeling is bad and the only way to fix it is to eat unhealthy food’. It can lead to non-hungry eating,” she says. “We want to make sure kids realise that feelings are normal. Find other ways to help them feel better, like taking some deep breaths, doing a puzzle together or taking them to the park.”

Be flexible with phone time and older kids

Limits on screen time are important, as is ensuring kids aren’t watching anything inappropriate. But phones are also an important way for older kids to socialise and stay in touch with friends so when you set limits on phone time, make them clear from the start – and not when kids are in mid-chat.   

“As long as they’re spending more time moving their body than not moving their body, they can chat to friends online – but of course in person socialising is always better,” Dr Jongenelis says.

Be as active as possible with the grandkids

The University of Melbourne research found that grandparents played a crucial role in helping grandkids be physically active. Kids were more likely to be physically active when grandparents supported their physical activity – and when grandparents took part in physical activity themselves. 

On the other hand, grandparents’ screen time was linked to grandkids’ screen time, and grandparents who nagged their own kids to be active reported having grandkids who spent more time using electronic devices.

The message is clear: if we want to keep our grandchildren moving, we have to move with them, if we can – walk the dog, go for a hike or a bike ride, walk to the park or kick a ball. It’s a win-win for both our generations.

Want to know more? You’ll find more tips and information on Michelle Jongenelis’s website here.

Feature image: iStock/monkeybusinessimages

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The information on this page is general information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Do not use the information found on this page as a substitute for professional health care advice. Any information you find on this page or on external sites which are linked to on this page should be verified with your professional health care provider.