First-time Grandparenting: a Cross-sectional Study on the Benefits and Challenges among Three Age Groups (50-70 Years and Above)

Transitioning to grandparenthood is one the major changes in an individual's life. (Brotherson.2020) has defined grandparenting as "typically occurring when a person has reached maturity and has wisdom or experience to share with the rising generation. The study aimed to understand the opinions of first-time grandparents (50-60,60-70,71 and above years) on benefits, challenges, and coping strategies of first time grandparenting. It involved 180 first time grandparents from Mumbai. Self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect data. Findings indicated that benefits experienced by first time grandparents were majority joy and happiness by spending time with their grandchild (55%), playing and having fun, going to the park together which helps to keep them physically and mentally active. Many first time grandparents (57%) indicated that adapting to changes in cultural norms such as understanding and respecting new parenting approaches or values that may differ from those when you were raising your own children was challenging, While gathering insights on suggestions/strategies for future grandparents majority of the little less than half of the grandfathers (48.8%) responded that by being there to help, but not over taking such as offering to do homework, but allowing your grandchild to take the lead and asking for help when needed will help in grandparenting and majority of grandmothers (60%) responded that communicating openly, listening well can lead to successful grandparenting. Based on the findings, guidelines/ brochures for enhancing the role of being first time grandparents were developed. These guidelines can therefore be effective. Communicated to the future first time grandparents, the research participants and in religious places, NGOs working with elderly and most importantly in hospitals