Weekly roundup 42: How can we thank grandparents

Last weekend I went to my grandad's (okay technically great-uncle, but there are lots of types of grandparents) 75th birthday party. He's a tall, gentle, sweetheart who reads crime thrillers and has a favourite armchair. He reminds me a bit of Arsène Wenger, if Arsène Wenger was brown and smiled more, and also was a diehard Liverpool supporter. He and his wife, my nani, and especially their home, have made a huge impression on me since I was little. A place filled with kindness and fun times and great generosity.

These memories can be so subjective but, as I told my own kids about the party last week, they asked all the key questions -  "what kind of cake will there be? Can we play there all day?" - that made me realise that the fun and generosity I associate with these grandparents are objective fact. Even my tiny kids are fully expectant of an abundance of everything at their house.

Grandparents have such a special role to play in kids' lives - to show a love and gentleness that it's hard to reciprocate. We can try - with gifts and days out and kind words - even long after we grow up. But sometimes when the invitation is made, our only choice is to be a kid again and turn up to enjoy their party.

- Shreya

Treat them to a day out

A little art and culture, a little tea and cake: sounds like the perfect afternoon regardless of age. I love Sheerluxe's edit of galleries with restaurants across London.

Impress them with some ~classical music~

Life is busy and weekends might not work, but if your grandfolks are local and have time on their hands on a Friday, you can catch a FREE lunchtime concert by the London Symphone Orchestra at St Luke's by Old Street. Check the schedule here and brush up on your Brahms.

Be a friend

Physical and financial vulnerabilities, and increasingly (especially post-pandemic) loneliness are really tough challenges for older people to encounter. If you're not directly in the life of older folks, consider volunteering with Age UK - from telephone befriending to fundraising activities, there are a ton of ways to get involved.

Let them babysit