Which factor best describes a source of influence on grandparenting style?

• A. Childhood memories of grandparents.
• B. Perceptions of the way parents acted as grandparents.
• C. Attitudes picked up about grandparenting from the media.
• D. Calculation of what can be obtained from grandchildren.

Answer: (B)

Grandparenting style is largely shaped by modeling from the parent generation. People learn how to interact with grandchildren by watching how their own parents acted in the grandparent role—how often they visited, what boundaries they set, the warmth they showed, and the routines they used. This direct observation creates a template that becomes the standard for how they themselves behave with their grandchildren. This kind intergenerational modeling is a powerful influence because it provides concrete patterns to imitate within the family context. While childhood memories of grandparents or attitudes from the media can influence views, they don’t typically offer the same practical blueprint as seeing one’s parents in the grandparent role. The idea of calculating what can be gained from grandchildren reflects a transactional mindset rather than the learned behaviors that get carried into one's own grandparenting.