Long Distance Grandparents - How to Keep the Love Flowing
Long Distance Grandparents - How to Keep the Love Flowing
The days when grandparents lived in the same home as their grandchildren are long gone. Today, most grandparents live in separate housing and many live even thousands of miles away, making family connections hard to maintain. Yet, the presence of grandparents in a child's life is sorely needed, no matter how far away the grandparents live. If you are experiencing the problems of distant grand parenting, consider some of these ideas for staying in touch with your grand children. Learn to keep the love flowing.
Ideas on staying connected with your grandchildren
Have you noticed that there is always a period of adjustment when you do get to visit your grandchildren. They have to warm up to you all over again each time you visit. These are things that you can do to stay connected.
1. Use the telephone
You can transmit your love through your voice by telephone.
-Arrange with the parents to have regular phone sessions with each child. For better communication during those sessions, get to know the child before the session. Ask the parents about the children. Ask, for example, about their outside activities, playmates, school lessons, moods, and current interests.
-Read a bed time story over the phone. Your voice will be remembered when they awake.
-Play a game like 20 questions.
-Tell a riddle or a joke.
-Make the next phone date with the child.
2. Send emails and / or join an older child's social network
-Send emails with updates on your activities and comment on theirs.
-Befriend them on their social network, however ask their permission first. Assure them that you will not be offended if they refuse.
3. Get a travel fund
To make visiting easier, instead of receiving gifts on birthdays and holidays, ask for funds to be placed in a travel fund for your visits to your grandchildren.
4. Set up a webcam
As with phone calls, set up a regular day and time to visit on your computer by webcam. Not only will the child know your voice, they will also be able to recognize your face.
5. Set up a family website
There are companies that will host a family website (e.g. myfamily.com). You can have family members contribute, pictures, family stories, family history and accomplishments. Make sure there are plenty of things about you on the site. The grandchildren will know who you are and what you've done in life.
6. Send surprises by mail
Children of all ages love to get mail. Some things to send include:
- Handwritten letters with added sketches or cartoons. If your handwriting is not what it used to be, use a word processor or print, but do sign it.
-Send packages and holiday themed gift boxes. Ask the parents what the children are currently interested in and try to send at least one of these items. However also try to include several smaller items so that there will be more to look at. Speak to the children on the phone when they open the gifts.
Don't be alarmed if despite all your efforts your grandchildren still seem distant. Parents and children are busy these days. Depending on the age, letters and phone calls may require the help of an adult. The adult may be busy or unable to call. Children's schedule of activities have increased several fold since you were parenting. They are busy, but will enjoy and remember the things that you do to keep in touch. So keep them coming to keep the love flowing.
Ideas on staying connected with your grandchildren
Have you noticed that there is always a period of adjustment when you do get to visit your grandchildren. They have to warm up to you all over again each time you visit. These are things that you can do to stay connected.
1. Use the telephone
You can transmit your love through your voice by telephone.
-Arrange with the parents to have regular phone sessions with each child. For better communication during those sessions, get to know the child before the session. Ask the parents about the children. Ask, for example, about their outside activities, playmates, school lessons, moods, and current interests.
-Read a bed time story over the phone. Your voice will be remembered when they awake.
-Play a game like 20 questions.
-Tell a riddle or a joke.
-Make the next phone date with the child.
2. Send emails and / or join an older child's social network
-Send emails with updates on your activities and comment on theirs.
-Befriend them on their social network, however ask their permission first. Assure them that you will not be offended if they refuse.
3. Get a travel fund
To make visiting easier, instead of receiving gifts on birthdays and holidays, ask for funds to be placed in a travel fund for your visits to your grandchildren.
4. Set up a webcam
As with phone calls, set up a regular day and time to visit on your computer by webcam. Not only will the child know your voice, they will also be able to recognize your face.
5. Set up a family website
There are companies that will host a family website (e.g. myfamily.com). You can have family members contribute, pictures, family stories, family history and accomplishments. Make sure there are plenty of things about you on the site. The grandchildren will know who you are and what you've done in life.
6. Send surprises by mail
Children of all ages love to get mail. Some things to send include:
- Handwritten letters with added sketches or cartoons. If your handwriting is not what it used to be, use a word processor or print, but do sign it.
-Send packages and holiday themed gift boxes. Ask the parents what the children are currently interested in and try to send at least one of these items. However also try to include several smaller items so that there will be more to look at. Speak to the children on the phone when they open the gifts.
Don't be alarmed if despite all your efforts your grandchildren still seem distant. Parents and children are busy these days. Depending on the age, letters and phone calls may require the help of an adult. The adult may be busy or unable to call. Children's schedule of activities have increased several fold since you were parenting. They are busy, but will enjoy and remember the things that you do to keep in touch. So keep them coming to keep the love flowing.
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