A grandparent is your parent's parent: your mother's mother or father, or your father's mother or father. Your grandmother (or grandma) is your mom's or dad's mother, and your grandfather (or grandpa) is your mom's or dad's father.

Grandparents often play a special role in children's lives. They might teach you skills they've mastered over decades, tell stories about what life was like when they were young, or simply enjoy spending time with you without the everyday pressures parents face. Many grandparents help care for their grandchildren, pick them up from school, or have them visit for weekends and holidays.

The relationship works both ways: while grandparents share their experience and wisdom, grandchildren bring fresh energy and joy into their grandparents' lives. A grandparent might teach you chess or woodworking, share family recipes, or teach you to sew. Some families live near their grandparents and see them weekly, while others stay connected through video calls and visits during school breaks.

Your grandparents' parents are your great-grandparents, adding another generation back in your family tree.