There is a familiar family phenomenon: a parent who was once strict with their own children suddenly becomes remarkably patient with grandchildren. They may tolerate messes they never accepted from their children, buy treats they once banned and spend hours listening to stories they have heard several times. It can leave adult children wondering: “Why didn't I get this version of you?”
Psychology does not establish that grandparents literally love grandchildren more than their children. Instead, research suggests that the grandparent-grandchild relationship has a different emotional structure, shaped by life stage, reduced parenting responsibilities, emotional closeness, family identity and evolutionary investment.
