Chronicles of Grandparenthood Journey: A Narrative Inquiry

This qualitative research study delves into the transformative journey of becoming a grandparent, tracing the journey from the announcement of a first grandchild’s pregnancy, through the birth, and into the ongoing roles and responsibilities of grandparents. Employing a narrative technique, central to qualitative research design, the study centers on the stories shared by participants. A diverse group of ten participants was included, with data collection continuing until saturation was achieved. The process of re-storying was utilized to merge participants’ narratives with emergent themes, yielding a comprehensive analysis of the data. Three (3) key themes emerged: Chronicle 1: The Grand Nurturing of Connections Over Time. This theme chronicles the evolving and enduring nature of grandparent-grandchild relationships, highlighting the depth and significance of these familial bonds as they develop over time. Chronicle 2: The Grand Sustaining of Roles Over Time. This theme explores how grandparents navigate and adapt to their changing roles and responsibilities as they embrace their grand parenting journey. Chronicle 3: The Grand Establishing of Relationships Over Time. This theme examines the ways in which grandparents establish and maintain meaningful relationships with their grandchildren, even across geographical and cultural barriers. By employing a narrative approach, this study provides rich, contextual insights into the transformative and enduring nature of grandparent-grandchild relationships, offering valuable perspectives on the significance of these familial bonds.