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g r a n d pa r e n t s
Long-Distance Grandparenting Done Right By KElly goEDE
In centuries past, families lived in close proximity to their grandparents, allowing them to play a daily role in the lives of their grandchildren. In our modern world, many families live several counties, states or even continents away from grandparents, increasing the need for creativity and ingenuity to allow them to be an active part in each other’s lives. And we live in an amazing technological time, with the Internet at our disposal and the ability to communicate at the speed of our fingers, making a close relationship with longdistance grandparents a possibility.
Keeping in touch between visits is key. Try some of these ideas to keep the grandparent/ grandchild relationship up to speed. • Although living in this fast-paced world, our children can still be taught to appreciate the value of writing a letter or coloring a picture and sending it through snail mail to their grandparents. And receiving something in the mail in return is a thrill for any child. Postcards are also fun, inexpensive and perfect for a quick update.
• Grandparents can also send a disposable camera, encouraging the grandkids to snap photos of their
• These days, those conversations aren’t just limited to phone calls. Skype, FaceTime, and Google Talk are all video chatting services that allow face-to-face communication through the Internet. While video chatting, grandparents can also read books and sing songs with their grands. • The Internet also offers many kid-friendly games that grandparents and grandkids can play together, offering a shared experience, even if it isn’t in the same room or even the same state. • Embracing social media has been a fabulous tool for grandparents to stay on top of the daily lives of their grandkids. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter all provide a platform for staying connected with friends and family, and this holds true for grandparents as well. Children may be too young to call Grandma and Grandpa on their own, but Mom or Dad can easily update Facebook and keep everyone informed.
No matter the method, grandparents score big points with their grandkids when they reach out in a meaningful and genuine way, even from far away. Regularly checking in and inquiring about what is important to the grandkids will not require anything fancy, and the payoff will be a loving and lasting relationship that grandparents and their grandchildren will cherish.
E! MOR grandparent resources grandparents.com is a wonderful resource for grandparents to find ideas and tips for having a fuller relationship with their grandkids, no matter how far apart they live.
If the Internet isn’t your speed, check out “Totally Cool Grandparenting: A Practical Handbook of Tips, Hints & Activities for the Modern Grandparent,” by leslie linsley and “Great Ideas for Grandkids! 150 Ways to Entertain, Educate and Enjoy Your Grandchildren—Without Setting Foot in a Toy Store!” by Peggy epstein.
"grandchildren don’t stay young forever, which is good because Pop-Pops have only so many horsey rides in them. " – gene Perret 18
gigglemag.com | JUNe/JUlY 2014
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• If your child has a special stuffed animal or toy, he can send it to Grandma to have her photograph it having adventures where she normally visits. The photos can be emailed or snail mailed back to your child.
favorite friends and pets. Then, when it gets mailed back and the pictures are developed, the kids and Grandma have a long list of topics to discuss and share.
