Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to find out the significance of a grandmother's life in experiencing her daughter's return home for postpartum assistance.
Subjects and Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five grandmothers who had provided postpartum assistance to their daughters, all of whom had returned home for 4 to 6 weeks in the 2 months prior to the study. All daughters were first-time mothers who had given birth naturally, and all data were analyzed by qualitative inductive analysis.
Results
The following four core categories emerged when the significance to a grandmother's life in experiencing her daughter's return home for postpartum assistance was investigated: a) demonstrated latent abilities as a mother; b) gained happiness from daughter and grandchild; c) discovered personal growth; and d) discovered a new direction in life. The core category "demonstrated latent abilities as a mother" included the following categories: i) tracking the growth of the daughter as a mother, wife, and person; and ii) helping to bring happiness to her daughter and son-in-law. The core category "gained happiness from daughter and grandchild" included the following categories: i) happiness towards her daughter's growth and deepened affection; and ii) comfort and awe from the grandchild. The core category "discovered personal growth" included the following categories: i) pride in having raised her daughter; ii) acceptance of fatigue and self-sacrifice; and iii) discovered a tolerant and generous side of one's self. The core category "discovered a new direction in life" included the following categories: i) built a new relationship with the daughter; ii) happy to have been helpful to her daughter; and iii) a new direction to live the life one wants to live in the future.
Conclusions
The significance to grandmothers in accepting and providing postpartum assistance to daughters when they return home was not merely about providing childcare support; moreover, the following points were identified. Concerning a mother's happiness, it brings joy to watch one's daughter's growth as a mother, as a wife, as a person and deepens the affection and intimacy. It also enables her to watch over the amicable marital relationship between the daughter and the son-in-law, helps to bring happiness to the couple, and helps to foster relationships with the son-in-laws. Concerning a grandmother's happiness to their daughter's child, it deepens the sense of intimacy and affection and helps them gain a peace of mind. Watching the grandchildren grow provides them with inspiration and vitality. The experience helps them discover their self-growth and fosters new relationships with the daughters. It also aids in discovering a new direction in life that values individual life while treasuring one's family and noticing one's continuous self-growth.
