This question can be seen in two ways: is there such thing as visiting too much, and how much is considered not enough?

For some grandparents it is difficult to see their grandkids as much as they’d like, due to distance, or perhaps certain family circumstances. Oppositely, some grandparents may be bombarding their grandchildren with constant visits.

The question of how often should grandparents visit grandchildren does not necessarily have a black and white answer. No matter which end of the spectrum the situation is currently on, it is important to find a happy medium, that will satisfy both the grandparents and the grandchildren, as well as the parents.

Every family is different, and there are a variety of situations that can have an effect on the frequency of visits between grandchildren and their grandparents.

If Visits are Doable and Desired

If no one involved is opposed to visits being as often as possible, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be.

If grandparents are close enough to visit their grandchildren whenever they want, the grandchildren wish to see them, and the children’s parents have no problems with that, then there is no harm in it. In fact, it should be seen as a positive situation.

With regular visits, however, grandparents should be sure to watch boundaries, and know what is acceptable and what is not, in terms of delivering discipline, or other parental duties.

If Family Conflict Gets in the Way of Visits

If there are conflicts between the parents and the grandparents, but visits are still desired, less often may be better, such as monthly.

This still gives the grandparents and grandchildren time to bond and be active parts of each other’s lives, while giving less opportunity for conflicts with the parents.

If Distance Makes Visiting Difficult

Sometimes, grandparents and grandchildren are unable to visit as much as they’d like due to distance. In this case, if a physical visit was possible once per year, that would be great. In a lot of cases, however, that just isn’t feasible.

Another option for this type of situation would be visiting through video chat. This gives the grandparents and grandchildren the chance to see one another and have face-to-face time, even if they aren’t capable of seeing each other in person.

Conclusion

Clearly, there is no one right answer for how often grandparents should visit their grandchildren. All families are unique, and consequently, the frequency of such visits will vary from family to family. Some families love to see each other as much as possible, some families try to avoid dealing with each other, and some families are unable to see each other.

Just because one family structures their lives a certain way, does not mean it is the normal or proper way. Focus on what is right for your family and your situation.