National Grandparents Day is celebrated each year on the Sunday that follows Labor Day. The day serves three purposes:
- To honor grandparents.
- To give grandparents the opportunity to show love for their children's children.
- To help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance elders can offer.
The movement to bring Grandparents Day to life was started by Marian McQuade who herself had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She proclaimed Grandparents Day to hold importance for children to understand their elders and famously stated,
“Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us. Whether they are our own or surrogate grandparents who fill some of the gaps in our mobile society, our senior generation also provides our society a link to our national heritage and traditions.” [1]
On this day, we encourage you to honor the importance of intergenerational relationships. Spend some time writing a note, visiting, calling, or simply reflecting on the importance your grandparents have had for you. Whatever you do to celebrate this holiday, make it meaningful for you and continue to build memories around our older generations.
