Keep a Close Bond with Grandparents when Miles Separate
Long distance relationships of any variety can be challenging, even when the relationships are between grandparents and grandkids. Luckily, staying in touch doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, with a little cooperation from grandparents, it can be lots of fun. Check out these ideas (from simple to tech savvy) that will help your kids and their grandparents create and nurture a lasting relationship, even when miles separate.
Call ‘Em
A classic stand-by, the telephone, is an easy way to check in and say hello. Schedule a weekly chat and let kids and grandparents talk it up. If your children have trouble with conversation, help them think of things to share before dialing the phone. Talk to your children about their grandparents during the week and share stories from your childhood to encourage a sense of familiarity. Added bonus: Your kids can develop their conversation skills and phone manners!
See-and-Say Tech-savvy grandparents can take the simple phone call to the next level with video chatting, web cams or Skype. The audio-visual experience makes it fun for both parties and works for all ages. Stephanie, mom of a newborn, schedules time for a weekly webcam visit between her son and his grandparents. Added bonus: Grammy and Grampy get to watch the kids grow.
Snail Mail
Another classic, mail, is a great way for kids to stay in touch with grandparents. Young children can create drawings, paintings and cards while older kids can write letters or send postcards. Include self-addressed, stamped envelopes so that grandparents only have to write back and drop the letter in the mail. Added bonus: Your kids can learn to address envelopes correctly and learn to appreciate waiting for a response.
Social Media
Social media and electronic mail make communicating daily events a snap. Older children can connect with grandparents via Facebook or email at any time of the day or night. Jan, mom of five, explained that her mother learned to use Facebook specifically to communicate with her grandchildren. Greg, dad of one, set up an email account for his son, saying, “My son has an email account and my parents keep up with him that way.” Instant messaging and text messaging are also fun, easy ways to keep grandparents in the loop. Added bonus: Your kids and your parents learn to use forms of communication that are integral to today’s society.
Care Packages
Kids and grandparents can send more than letters in the mail. Make a quick visit to the post office for a flat rate box (or order some online) and fill it full of goodies. Your child can send items collected from nature (think pressed flowers), baked goodies, holiday candies--imagination is the limit. Added Bonus: You get to spend quality time with your child preparing the package.
TV Time
Select your child’s favorite picture book and mail a copy to the grandparents. Ask them to video record themselves reading the book so that your child can watch and listen to the story at home. Better yet, record grandparents reading several different books the next time you visit. Added Bonus: The kids still get to watch TV while you accomplish something in the house.
Family Sites
Nicole, mom of three, helps her kids stay in touch with grandparents via a family website. “We created a family website through Shutterfly so we can upload photos often,” she says, “and the folks can either download them or order prints.” Private blogs are a great tool for helping families stay in touch, too. Added Bonus: Blogs are free and can be made into books to give as gifts.
It is essential that kids, parents and grandparents all participate in activities to help create a strong family bond, especially when living far away from one another. Use your imagination (and those of your children) to find even more activities that suit the specific needs of your family. Added bonus: Your kids will learn more about their heritage as they cultivate relationships with a different generation of the family.
Help your child make an indoor mailbox for her bedroom (better yet, ask grandparents to help with the project). When Nana and Pop send letters or packages, place then directly in your child’s personal mailbox. Find ideas for homemade mailboxes on sites like www.DLTK-Kids.com or www.FamilyCorner.com.
As a military spouse, Julie Steed is constantly seeking new ways to help her children stay close to their grandparents.