The Important Role of Grandparents in Adoptive Families
The Important Role of Grandparents in Adoptive Families
Published on:
Sep 01, 2025
Category
Adoption
September marks Grandparents Day, a time to recognize the love, wisdom, and stability grandparents bring to families everywhere. For adoptive families in particular, grandparents can play an especially meaningful role—providing reassurance, perspective, and unconditional acceptance that helps children feel truly anchored. This month, we pause to celebrate and honor grandparents for the unique way they strengthen bonds, nurture belonging, and remind children that they are deeply loved members of their family.
Why Grandparents Matter in Adoptive Families
Family sizes can vary from a couple people to a large group, and each person in a family plays an important role. How we fulfill these roles can help strengthen the bonds between family members. And an often-overlooked relationship may be the one that is the most pivotal to the success of an adoptive family: the one with grandparents.
A critical piece to supporting adopted children is ensuring they are surrounded by those who love and accept them, no matter the challenges. Grandparents may provide a soft place to land when a child is struggling in his/her home. While things may be difficult to navigate with parents, grandparents can have the ability to take pause and approach an issue with more of an aerial perspective.
Why Grandparents Matter in Adoptive Families
A grandparent can also be a child’s “safe space.” This means they provide a nonjudgmental ear and listen to the child, trying to see things from their point of view. When a grandparent understands that their primary job is remaining open and providing comfort and love, it can strengthen the bonds and encourage the child to share their struggles.
Supporting Adoptive Parents Through Respite Care
Grandparents can provide respite for their child. Burnout is a legitimate and serious concern for parents of children with emotional or behavioral challenges. Taking a break from one another can be beneficial for everyone in the family, and grandparents can provide a familiar setting for children for a short time.
Grandparents Create a Sense of Belonging
Creating a sense of true belonging is crucial to an adoptive child’s identity. When grandparents accept their adopted grandchild in the same way they accept their biological grandchild/children, the effect is profound. The grandchild feels loved, embraced, and cared for in the same way his/her cousins are, and that reinforces that they are part of the family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grandparents offer love, stability, and perspective that help adopted children feel secure and truly part of the family.
By being a safe, judgment-free space—listening, showing empathy, and offering unconditional love.
Grandparents can provide respite, giving parents time to rest and recharge while ensuring children remain in a safe and loving environment.
When grandparents embrace adopted grandchildren as fully as biological ones, it reinforces belonging and strengthens the child’s identity.
By being present, consistent, and open-hearted—reminding children they are deeply loved members of the family.
