By Kerrie McLoughlin
Many grandparents living far away can agree that proximity isn’t necessary to have a significant impact on their grandchildren’s lives. While it’s natural to feel a tinge of sadness about the distance, there are many ways to foster a meaningful and enduring relationship with them. Here are some effective strategies:
Research
Take the time to learn about the environment where your grandchildren reside, so you can engage them with relevant and intriguing questions during your conversations. Familiarize yourself with their interests—whether those be hobbies, favorite movies, music, or TV series—to enrich your discussions.
Read to Them and Play Games
Joy Candrian, who blogs at XOXO Grandma, suggests a creative approach: “Record yourself reading a book and upload the recording to YouTube, allowing your grandchild to both hear your voice and see you reading. Once your video is ready, send the book to them so they can enjoy it while following along.” Additionally, creating a custom blank puzzle by drawing or writing a message can provide a fun activity for your grandchild. Online games, such as Words with Friends, also offer a playful way to connect while learning.
Recognize Holidays and Special Dates
Make it a point to remember important occasions to ensure you can celebrate meaningful moments with them. Setting reminders on your devices or marking a calendar can help you remember to send cards or schedule video calls for birthdays, graduations, and more. Candrian notes, “Giving gifts is a lovely way to show care, and handmade presents [like quilts] signify the effort we put into our loved ones’ happiness. While your grandchild may not grasp this notion initially, as they grow, they will appreciate the love behind your gifts.”
Raise Video Chatting and Social Media to a New Level
Platforms like Skype, FaceTime, and Zoom have made it easier than ever to see each other’s faces and maintain presence in each other’s lives. Set up weekly calls for activities, including walking together virtually, cooking, or reading stories. One technique my 90-year-old grandmother enjoys is using Facebook daily to stay updated with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren through their posts and photos.
Remembrances
Display ample pictures of your grandchildren in your home and share images of yourself with them as well. Familiarity fosters connection, and creating personalized photo books or storytelling volumes about your childhood using services like Mixbook can help bridge that gap. The Marco Polo app enables you to exchange video messages that can be stored indefinitely, providing a wonderful way to communicate across distances.
Regular Visits and Special Trips
Carissa Jones, a mom of eight, shares, “Both sets of grandparents host small groups of one or two children at a time. My parents celebrate each child’s 10th birthday by taking them for a special long weekend, an event they eagerly anticipate for months.”
Ready for a Fun Visit
When the children come to visit, ensure you have a collection of games, books, and toys prepared to enjoy together. Look for local nature centers and engaging programs to partake in during their stay. Cooking or baking together can create cherished memories to last a lifetime while providing moments of joy.
Even with distance between you, meaningful bonds with your grandchildren are entirely achievable, allowing you to play a vital role in their lives.
Kerrie McLoughlin’s Book Recommendations:
- Connect with Your Grandkids: Fun Ways to Bridge the Miles by Cheri Fuller
- Long-Distance Grandparenting: Connecting with Your Grandchildren from Afar by Willma Willis Gore
- Virtual Grandma: A how-to guide on “virtually connecting” with little ones up to age five using FaceTime, Skype, and other apps by Alison Hillhouse
- Long Distance Grandma: Staying Connected Across the Miles by Janet Teitsort
- The Long-Distance Grandmother: How to Stay Close to Distant Grandchildren by Selma Wassermann
