Disadvantages Of Leaving Kids With Grandparents

Here Is Why Leaving Your Kids With Grandparents Might Not Be A Very Good Idea


A new report from Mirror trending online has revealed that leaving your children with their grandparents could be bad for their health and may even increase their risk of cancer.

Scientists have asserted that grandmothers and grandfathers spoil their grandchildren with sweet ‘treats’ and massive helpings of fattening food.

It is also believed that they allow them to get lazy- playing video games or watching TV, instead of engaging in more productive activities.

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And reportedly also, they tend to smoke in front of the kids, exposing their young lungs to second-hand tobacco smoke and setting such a bad example.

On scientists claim

Scientists claim that previous research has looked at the way parents can affect their children’s susceptibility to cancer and other diseases, but less attention has been paid to the role of part-time carers such as grandparents.

According to the scientists: “Currently grandparents are not the focus of public health messaging targeted at parents and in light of the evidence from this study, perhaps this is something that needs to change given the prominent role grandparents play in the lives of children.”

Smoking, poor diet, excess weight and lack of physical activity were all known to increase the risk of cancer, said the researchers.

On research found

The research also found that “excessive feeding” of children was a significant grandparent problem, as was providing meals that may be made from scratch but with unhealthy ingredients.

Sweets were used to reward, express love, or strengthen the bond between grandparent and child, it was found.


Evidence that the poverty and hunger some grandparents experienced themselves as children led them to believe extra weight was a sign of good health also surfaced.

On grandparents smoking in front of the kids

Grandparents smoking in the home was identified as having a negative impact, both by setting a bad example and exposing children to second hand tobacco smoke.

 

Some comments by the doctors

“From the studies we looked at, it appears that parents often find it difficult to discuss the issues of passive smoking and over-treating grandchildren.

“Given that many parents now rely on grandparents for care, the mixed messages about health that children might be getting is perhaps an important discussion that needs to be had.”

“Children’s health can be affected by range of factors, and this study reinforces the importance of the broader family picture.

“With both smoking and obesity being the two biggest preventable causes of cancer in the UK, it’s important for the whole family to work together.

Professor Linda Bauld’s  comment

“Children should never be exposed to second hand smoke. But it’s also important for children to maintain a healthy weight into adulthood, and in today’s busy world it’s often the wider family who have a role to play in keeping youngsters healthy. If healthy habits begin early in life, it’s much easier to continue them as an adult.”

The findings are published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.

 





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