Where there are no grandparents

A young family bonds during a photo shoot. [Getty Images]

"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humour, comfort, lessons in life, and, most importantly, cookies." ~Rudolph Giuliani

There is an African proverb that says, "It takes a village to raise a child." Grandparents are often considered the mainstays in this village, meaning that in African society, grandparents play a crucial role in the parenting journey.