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TODAY'S CHILD

A virtual red lollypop for my

grandchild

by Sulette Ferreira

hen a child is born, so is a many citizens to emigration, especially “... you get a grandchild which I can tell you
grandparent. The transition over the last two decades. According to is the biggest plus of all. You don’t love your
Wto earning the honorary title David Buckham (2019), roughly 23,000 grandchild more than your children; you
of granny or grandpa is perceived people per year emigrate from South love your grandchild in an indescribable
by grandparents as one of the most Africa. Based on these statistics, it can way, to know that this is the child of your
meaningful and emotional events in be deduced that an extensive number child and all you want to give is love. That
their lives – an important life-affirming of parents and grandparents remain is why grandparents are supposed to be
experience. Yet, the remarkable behind after their adult-child(ren’s) there because they give the lollypop when
announcement that you are going to emigration and grandparents are mommy says it is bad for your teeth. That
be a grandparent may be tempered summoned to rise to the challenge of is the role, the lollypop – and that has been
with sadness, particularly when the becoming transnational grandparents. taken away from me.”
expectant parents – your children
– live continents, even time zones A grandparent’s close involvement When your grandchildren live in close
away. Maintaining intergenerational with a grandchild is positively proximity to you, and their parents
relationships is challenging as associated with the overall wellbeing decide to emigrate, it leaves you with
emigration has a strong tendency to of both the grandparent and the a void. Feelings of loss are experienced
loosen family ties and disrupt those grandchild. Caring for grandchildren on multiple levels. As a grandparent you
relationships. offers the grandparent, especially the are scared that you might miss out on
grandmother, an opportunity to indulge important life stages and even everyday
In today’s interconnected world, in a relationship that is very unique in happenings. An attachment bond has
emigration has increased considerably. nature. A grandmother described her already been formed and their physical
South Africa is no exception and has lost role as: departure is a painful reminder that life