'The most wonderful relationship': Why grandparents are invaluable

Scrolling through social media recently, I found myself getting quite emotional over the simplest and most beautiful thing. 

Here I was tearing up over videos of complete strangers. 

There were children running into the arms of their grandparents, cuddling with their Nans and Pops, and just spending time with the Nonnas and Poppas – celebrating what really is the most wonderful relationship. 

I've already created a large mountain of Mother guilt, and there are large shovel-fulls of regret that my own children don't have their grandparents as a regular part of their lives. 

READ MORE: 'A very limited time': Royal editor on why King's visit had to happen now

I live a good six-hour drive from my own parents, and when both of my husband's parents were alive, they also lived a distance away. 

Catch-ups between my children and their grandparents aren't anywhere near as frequent as what I was lucky enough to have experienced when I was growing up, living in the same town as all my grandparents. 

My brother and I would regularly spend Friday nights at our Nanny and Poppy's, and barely a week would go by when I hadn't spent time with my Gran.

To this day, those times remain some of the happiest times of my life. 

READ MORE: What it was like to attend Olivia Rodrigo's Sydney concert

READ MORE: Tributes pour in for One Direction star Liam Payne

The love my grandparents offered was absolutely unconditional. The advice they provided might have been exactly the same as that given by my Mum, but for whatever reason, I was a lot more willing to take it on. 

They were also valuable allies. 

They knew the secrets and the stories of my parents, and they could provide insights into their past behaviour that was sometimes important ammunition when my teenage brain brought me unstuck.

My own Mum and Dad had done the same thing - if not worse! Good to know when consequences were being dished out! 

My daughters recently spent a week with my parents, who stepped up as they often do during the school holidays when both my husband and I had to work.

And beyond the logistical help that provided, I was so grateful my children could spend time with their grandparents, and make wonderful memories of their own. 

Grandparents really are the best!

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.