Introduction
Modern family life is evolving. Today’s grandparents are no longer simply the warm, smiling figures waiting with biscuits after school, at the weekend or the Summer holidays. They’re active, engaged, and vital to family life — often helping with childcare, school runs, and even helping fund the extra curricular activities, like swimming lessons, where grandparents often play a central role in making sure their grandchildren have every opportunity to thrive.
At Swimtime, we see this every day. The involvement of grandparents is a huge part of many children’s swimming journeys — whether that’s paying for lessons, taking little ones to the pool, cheering proudly from the side lines, or gently encouraging practice outside of lesson time. This blog explores the growing importance of grandparents in family life, their impact on extracurricular learning, and the special role they play in supporting children’s swimming journeys.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- How Grandparenting Has Changed Over Time
- Financial Contributions: Investing in the Next Generation
- Transport and Logistics: The “Grandparent Taxi Service”
- Emotional Anchors: The Power of Encouragement
- Grandparents and Swimtime: A Perfect Partnership
- Other Ways Grandparents Can Be Involved
- The Benefits for Grandparents
- Case Studies: Stories from Swimtime Families
- How to Encourage Grandparent Involvement
- Looking Ahead: The Future of Grandparenting
- Conclusion
“”Whether it’s paying for lessons, offering lifts to the pool, or cheering from the side lines, grandparents show that raising confident, capable children is a team effort
How Grandparenting Has Changed Over Time
In previous generations, grandparents were often seen as occasional carers, providing treats and gentle wisdom from a comfortable distance. But today, with both parents often working, busier schedules, and ever rising living costs, grandparents are stepping into much more hands-on roles.
Many modern grandparents regularly look after their grandchildren, or do the school run, while parents are at work and, in some instances, grandparents are contributing directly to household costs, school supplies, and extracurricular activities.
They are also acting as an extra safety net for children and parents alike providing emotional support and advice in the midst of a mental health crisis, as well as a more active involvement with things like joining in at sports days, attending parents’ evenings, or helping with homework. Many grandparents want to be deeply connected to their grandchildren’s everyday lives, enjoying second chances to experience childhood joys through them.
This shift reflects not just necessity, but also a cultural change. There’s an old saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.” In today’s world, grandparents are an essential part of that village. Alongside parents, teachers, and coaches, they provide the time, resources, and encouragement that children need to grow. Whether it’s paying for lessons, offering lifts to the pool, or cheering from the sidelines, grandparents show that raising confident, capable children is a team effort — and swimming lessons are a perfect example of how a family can come together to support a child’s journey.
Financial Contributions: Investing in the Next Generation
Raising a child is more expensive than ever, and extracurricular activities can quickly add up. Swimming lessons, music tuition, dance, football, or art clubs all carry costs — but they also provide invaluable skills.
According to research, grandparents in the UK contribute billions of pounds each year to their families, often covering essentials as well as extras that enrich children’s lives. For many, paying for grandchildren’s swimming lessons is a gift of safety, confidence, and fun — something far more meaningful than toys or clothes.
Why swimming lessons are a popular investment for grandparents:
- Swimming is a life skill — it could one day save a child’s life.
- It builds confidence and resilience.
- It supports fitness and wellbeing in a fun way.
- It offers a shared family experience to enjoy together.
By helping with the costs, grandparents ensure children don’t miss out, even if family budgets are stretched.
Transport and Logistics: The “Grandparent Taxi Service”
Beyond finances, grandparents often step in as chauffeurs. With parents juggling work and other responsibilities, it’s grandparents who frequently take children to after-school activities.
At Swimtime, it’s common to see grandparents proudly waiting poolside, chatting to other carers, and waving enthusiastically as their grandchildren master new skills. These small moments of presence are powerful — they give children an extra sense of being supported and celebrated.
Grandparents who drive children to swimming lessons aren’t just easing the pressure on parents; they’re actively shaping memories of encouragement and bonding. Many children will always remember, “It was Nan who took me to lessons,” or “Grandad never missed a swim.”
Emotional Anchors: The Power of Encouragement
Grandparents bring patience, calmness, and reassurance that’s sometimes harder for parents to deliver in the whirlwind of daily life. When a child feels nervous about dipping their face in water or worried about trying a new skill, a gentle nudge from a grandparent can make all the difference.
Ways grandparents provide emotional support in swimming lessons include:
- Cheering from the poolside with big smiles.
- Celebrating small milestones (“You blew bubbles today — brilliant!”).
- Offering reassurance if children feel anxious.
- Encouraging extra practice in a fun, playful way.
This encouragement can help children view swimming not as a pressured task, but as an exciting adventure they share with a beloved family member.
“”When a child feels nervous about dipping their face in water or worried about trying a new skill, a gentle nudge from a grandparent can make all the difference.
Grandparents and Swimtime: A Perfect Partnership
Swimtime is proud to see grandparents involved at every stage of a child’s swimming journey. Here are just some of the ways they play a role:
- Funding lessons: Many grandparents choose to pay for lessons as birthday or Christmas gifts, giving something long-lasting and meaningful.
- Attending lessons: Some are the designated “swim buddy,” taking their grandchild every week and watching them grow in confidence.
- Practising skills: Grandparents who enjoy their own swims can share water play, practising floating or kicking together.
- Sharing stories: Talking about their own swimming memories — from seaside holidays to learning in their youth — creates connection and inspiration.
At Swimtime, we believe this involvement strengthens the bond between generations while also supporting children’s progress.
Other Ways Grandparents Can Be Involved
Swimming lessons are just one part of the bigger picture. Here are other ways grandparents enrich their grandchildren’s extracurricular lives:
- Homework help — extra time and patience for tricky subjects.
- Attending performances and matches — being the biggest cheerleaders at recitals or football games.
- Providing transport to and from clubs — a practical but vital contribution.
- Sharing hobbies — teaching gardening, baking, crafts, or music.
- Emotional guidance — offering perspective and listening ears.
By weaving themselves into these activities, grandparents offer children a rounded support system that extends beyond their parents.
The Benefits for Grandparents
This active role benefits grandparents too. Being involved helps them stay physically active, socially connected, and emotionally fulfilled. Watching grandchildren succeed brings joy, purpose, and pride. Swimming lessons, in particular, provide a routine and a chance to connect with other carers — building community as well as family ties.
For many, these moments create the most cherished memories: sitting poolside, clapping for a grandchild’s first badge, or sharing ice cream afterwards.
“”Watching grandchildren succeed brings joy, purpose, and pride
How to Encourage Grandparent Involvement
For parents who want to invite grandparents into their child’s extracurricular activities:
- Ask if they’d like to attend a lesson occasionally.
- Suggest contributing to lessons as a gift option.
- Share photos or videos of progress if they can’t attend in person.
- Encourage them to practise simple water games in the bath or on holiday.
Even small involvement deepens relationships and strengthens support networks.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Grandparenting
As society continues to evolve, the role of grandparents is likely to become even more central. With families often stretched in time and finances, grandparents will remain the bedrock of support. And in the context of swimming, this means more proud faces in the viewing gallery, more encouragement from the sidelines, and more children achieving vital life skills thanks to their grandparents’ love and commitment.
“”Grandparents today are true superheroes of family life
Conclusion
Grandparents today are true superheroes of family life. They give time, love, and financial support, making sure children have every chance to learn, grow, and thrive. From paying for swimming lessons to providing lifts, encouragement, and wisdom, their contribution is invaluable.
At Swimtime, we celebrate this role wholeheartedly. We see first-hand how grandparents help children on their swimming journeys — and how their presence creates lasting memories for both generations. Swimming isn’t just about strokes and splashes; it’s about family, confidence, and shared experiences.
So here’s to the grandparents: the cheerleaders, the chauffeurs, the funders, and the encouragers. The quiet heroes behind the splashes, making sure every child gets the chance to learn, progress, and fall in love with the water.
