It seems we're not the only ones excited about having a grandmother in the White House. In a new survey conducted and released by Grandparents.com, 83 percent of respondents said they believe Marian Robinson's presence in the White House will redefine the importance of grandparents in U.S. families. The 71-year-old widow and retiree, who is Michelle Obama's mother, has left Chicago, at least temporarily, to help take care of the Obamas' daughters in Washington, D.C. Many observers believe her move will cast a long-overdue national spotlight on the critical role that grandparents play in the lives of grandchildren across the country. In our survey, you agreed.
A Sign of the Times
The Obamas' decision to ask a grandmother to move in and help them with child care is unique only in the attention it has received. Across the nation, grandparents care for millions of young children while their parents work, and more than 4.5 million children live in their grandparents' homes, according to U.S. Census data. In our survey, 65 percent of respondents said they believe that the number of multigenerational households is on the rise, and for a very specific reason — the economy.
"At least 4 million grandparents, parents, and children live under one roof," says Amy Goyer, senior vice president of Outreach for Grandparents.com. "And with the current economic downturn, that number is only expected to grow." Our survey supports this assertion — 50 percent of respondents who share a home with their grandchildren attribute their living situation to the financial struggles of the children's parents. Overall, eight percent of respondents said they were primary caregivers (the legal guardian or sole care-provider) for at least one grandchild, and 52 percent said they provided some form of care to a grandchild on a regular basis.
A Broader Impact?
As "First Grandmother," Robinson will continue the role she played during the presidential campaign, when she stayed with granddaughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, while the girls' parents traveled. But the girls may not be the only ones who benefit from having a grandparent in the White House. More than 77 percent of grandparents we surveyed believe that Barack Obama will be a more effective president — and Michelle Obama a more effective First Lady — as a result of having a grandparent in their home. Will the world reap the benefits of a multigenerational White House? Time will tell.
The Bottom Line
In our survey, 87 percent of respondents said their grandchildren valued their role and influence in their lives. So although it doesn't always take place under the most ideal circumstances, the trend toward grandparents living with their grandchildren can have overwhelmingly positive implications for children. "In multigenerational households, grandparents tend to be central figures in their grandchildren's life stories, not part of the supporting cast," Goyer says. "Kids get a daily dose of family history and culture – and extra-special attention!"
See the complete Grandparents.com survey results here.
Elsewhere on Granpdarents.com, read about Marian Robinson's move to the White House and President-elect Obama's praise for her role as caregiver; join the debate over who should be in charge when grandparents babysit; consider whether you could live with your grandchildren, and learn how to bond with grandchildren from a distance.
