Long Distance Grandparents
Tips For Staying in Touch With Grandchildren Far Away
Long distance grandparenting can be made a bit easier by taking advantage of technology and old-fashioned communication skills!
Long distance grandparents continue to be a growing segment of a society in which the world grows smaller and smaller. When your grandchildren move away, are born in another state or across the world, it can be a difficult adjustment. The bond between grandchildren and grandparents is strong, and they love having their Nana or Papa involved with them whether they’re down the block or an ocean away.
So, how do loving grandparents maintain a long distance relationship with grandchildren? It seems that old-fashioned communication tools combined with the marvels of modern technology can help to ease the distance and minimize the separation. Telephones, computers, and cell phones continue to provide unique opportunities that help families stay as close as possible over long distances.
Although nothing beats seeing those beautiful smiles or having those little arms around your neck in a great big hug, there are many ways to stay current in your grandkids’ minds and hearts. Here are a few suggestions for staying in touch long distance:
Regular Packages or Letters
Weekly or monthly arrivals in the mailbox for young children are a great way to maintain communication. You don’t have to spend a lot of money: inexpensive toys, personal photographs, books, crayons and coloring books, even free coloring pages printed from the internet along with a personal note create anticipation and glee in young children. Kids love to get mail – and when its from their grandparents it’s a real treat! Even just a regular hand written note or letter once a week can reap priceless rewards.
Regular Weekly Phone Calls
Grandchildren love talking to their grandparents on the phone! Sometimes they get so excited they can’t talk, so be prepared to ask them some simple questions that let them share a little bit of themselves…try to avoid straight ‘yes or no’ questions.
Using Cell Phones
These are great from the perspective that you can call your grandkids from wherever you are…your backyard or a special location, snap a photo and send it right along to them in real time. If your grandkids are teens, this is often the best way to reach out to them, and they love to send cell phone photos!
Web Cam
This is one of the best ways to stay in touch in a personal way. Web cams are fairly inexpensive, and truly the next best thing to being there. It gives you both a chance to see each other in real time, talk and share and laugh almost in person.
There are many ways you can stay in touch with your grandchildren, and all the ‘old-fashioned’ modes of communication work as well as the most modern conveniences. If you want to try something different, how about a surprise party, complete with cake, confetti and candles? You can send a cake long distance complete with confetti and candles…there doesn’t even have to be an occasion.
