You deserve to be recognized. That’s the heart of Grandparents Day — a day set aside to honor the men and women who pour into the next generations in ways that often go unnoticed. In a culture that doesn’t always celebrate grandparents, this is your day to be affirmed. What you do matters. The time you spend, the traditions you pass on, the love you give — it all counts. And your grandchildren are better for it.
The origins of this national U.S. holiday start in 1969, when a 9-year-old boy from West Virginia wrote to President Nixon with a simple question: Why don’t we have a day to celebrate grandparents, like we do for mothers and fathers? The White House politely declined, but the seed had been planted.
From there, most of the credit goes to Marian McQuade, also from West Virginia, who was a champion for the value of grandparents and older adults — and who had plenty of experience as a grandmother herself. When she passed away in 2008, she had 15 children, 43 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
In 1970, Marian began promoting the idea of a holiday for grandparents and found success first in her home state, where grandparents were first honored in 1973. After that, it took her six more years of tireless dedication to persuade leaders in Washington, D.C., to bring the entire nation on board. On September 10, 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation that read:
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.
… [Grandparents] can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations. (See the entire proclamation here.)
Many other countries around the world also have holidays for grandparents at various times of the year.
A Day for Recognition — and Reflection
We wholeheartedly support Grandparents Day because grandkids matter. It’s regrettable that the vital influence of grandmas and grandpas — including surrogate and spiritual grandparents — is still so often minimized or overlooked. Research makes it clear that grandchildren thrive when grandparents are proactive in supporting and developing a relationship with them, and grandparents thrive when they are actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives.
Nanas and Papas should be celebrated for all they contribute to their grandchildren.
Grandparents Day can also be an opportunity for reflection. As we receive recognition for our role, it’s worth asking ourselves: Am I living up to the title? Am I being the kind of grandparent I want to be — and that my grandchildren need?
This isn’t about guilt; it’s about taking a moment to consider how we’re doing and where we might grow.
3 Ways to Make a Difference
Think about these areas where you can have real impact:
Time. Are you making time for your grandchildren? This goes far beyond holidays. Are you finding ways to be present in their everyday lives — through visits, phone calls, video chats, or even handwritten notes?
Traditions. Are you passing on the traditions that shaped you? Family recipes, holiday rituals, stories about where you came from — these are the things that give grandchildren a sense of identity and belonging.
Teaching. Are you sharing what you’ve learned about life? In simple, everyday moments, you have the chance to pass on your experiences, your values, your faith. Your grandchildren are watching and listening, and these may be some of the greatest gifts you give.
Grandparents Day is a perfect time to ask: How am I doing in these three areas? And what’s one thing I could do better in the year ahead?
A Day to Celebrate — and Recommit
So yes, this is a great day to receive recognition for your role. Let your family honor you. Enjoy the cards and calls and time together.
But let it also be a day when you recommit to being the grandparent your grandchildren need — one who shows up, passes on what matters, and loves them well.
That’s what this day is really for.
How are you celebrating Grandparents Day this year? Share your plans on our Facebook page here.
