Grandparenting Across Miles
Living across the country from our kids is never easy. But grandparenting across miles is even tougher. They grow so fast and I want to be part of their lives. Since the shut down, I tried to think of ways to stay in touch. Thankfully, video calls are the next best thing to being there…
My youngest grandson’s little face lit up my computer screen.
“Hi, Lao Lao! I miss you.”
“Hi there. I miss you too. What are you doing today?” I asked.
“We ate yunch.”
Little did I know that this was ‘second lunch’ for my little hobbits. How I miss these little guys.
The current shut-down has complicated gathering together for so many. Our situation is compounded by our three grandsons living in Colorado and we are in Connecticut. We rely on technology for our visits, but our trip west being canceled in April still stings.
#Grandparenting across miles is tough. They grow fast and I want to be part of their lives. Since the #ShutDown, I have tried to think of ways to stay in touch. Share on X
I have tried to connect in different ways so that I can be a part of their lives from afar. I’ve sent care packages of books, and then coloring books and markers. I sent notes in the mail. I text pictures to my daughters to show my grandsons. Tractors. Buses. Things that would interest them. And we meet using Skype or Google Hangouts so we can see one another and chat.
That is all well and good, except that I really just want to get on a plane and go see them in person. It has been almost a year since I have been able to do that. It’s time!
Ways to Reach Out to Grandchildren
This week I read an article about writing keepsake letters to a grandchild. So I got out some note cards and printed a note to each one. I signed them with a heart which I colored in red. I decorated the envelopes to match their current interests, and they are sitting in my mailbox ready for pick-up.
My youngest grandson is four going on twenty-four. His love is numbers along with music and letters. He gets a charge out of doing his work with his little glasses perched on his nose while wielding markers, workbooks and paper. Lots of paper. He is into fractions at the moment.
My middle grandson is six and his love is airplanes. He imagines himself a pilot while devouring books on the subject and playing with the airplane play set and airport mat I sent for Christmas.
My oldest grandson is also six and he is obsessed with everything in space. Planets, astronauts, space ships, and rockets. He is sure that he will work for a space station someday. He loves his books with glossy pictures of the galaxies.
So, I love encouraging their interests in whatever way I can. That’s the fun part of grandparenting.
A recent interest is their desire to help in the kitchen. So, I sent kid-safe kitchen knives so they can cut vegetables and fruit, helping their moms to make snacks and meals.
Further to this, on our last Hangout call, it was time for us to put dinner in the oven. So I set up my laptop in the kitchen. My hubby, John was making dinner for me (for Mother’s Day) so we called it:
The Lao Yei Cooking Show
*Lao Yei is Mandarin for grandfather (or old man). I bet you can guess what Lao Lao means 🙂
John took on the role of Emeril, explaining the process of poking the baking potatoes, and sweet potato, putting them in the oven a little before the chicken so everything would be done at the same time. Putting garlic and spices on the chicken breasts to bake at 350 degrees.
The boys loved it!
They each said, “I want to come to your house and cook too.”
Me too, sweet boys!!
Better than Emeril or Gordon Ramsay, I’m sure. Though, thankfully not as stressful as Chopped.
I wish I could be there when my grandson’s letters arrive. I would love to see their faces when they see their own letter from Lao Lao.
Here are a few long distance grandparenting resources I discovered this week…hope they are helpful.
Here are a few #LongDistanceGrandparenting resources I discovered this week...hope they are helpful. #LoveMyGrandchildren Share on X
I discovered this article, shared by a friend in the UK: Five Ways for Grandparents to Remotely Connect with their Grandchildren
And Crosswalk.com shared this timely article, Creative Ways to Connect with Grandchildren During Covid-19
Awesome Activities for 5-8 year olds
Developmentally Appropriate Activities for All Ages
Long distance grandparenting isn’t easy. So, I would love your creative ideas—what do you do to stay in touch? How old are your grandchildren? What do they love to do? You can share these in the comments below.
I have also included some Amazon resources including unique postcards, stickers, and ways for keeping in touch with those little ones you love so much.
Jeanne
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What I am certain of Ms. Jeanne is that your grandsons know how much the Lao Lao loves and cherishes them. The “virtual hugs” you send by way of your cards will be treasured I’m sure. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thanks, J.D. I know they know. I treasure that so much
Jeanne, you are so creative ! I know, even as a great grandparent, it is difficult not seeing all the children. I tried to think of what I could do for my 24 great grandchildren. I took heavy paper, a little less heavy than cardboard, with pencil I outlined my own hand. Cut them out, Outlined again with marker……..used some stickers and a message of love on one side of the hand….sent them off to let them know I was reaching out to touch them with love. Simple, cost effective, with prayer covering my hands to them..
What a great idea, Jan!! I think the grands will treasure that handprint forever. And I know they treasure you!
Such love shown to your grandchildren through creative ideas. Thanks for sharing. Grandparenting is the best and I think you have been successful in sharing your heart miles apart. I pray you get to hug them soon.
Thanks, Deborah. They love me, this I know. Each is adopted so I came into their lives later than birth. But it took no time at all for them to be excited to see me. They want me to play. To read them stories. So awesome!!
I love this post, Jeanne! As a grammy with two young grands four states away, I’m always searching for ways to stay connected besides FaceTime. I look forward to checking out the links. Thanks and have a blessed week!
Aww, Cathy. Such a gift in these sweet grands. Thanks for chiming in. I think Facetime is such a wonderful tool. For such a time as this 🙂
Hi Jeanne,
Our granddaughters are 6 yrs. and 3 yrs. old. Both their parents are teachers so their mom has incorporated learning with fun. Our oldest granddaughter had just started kindergarten in September and is learning to read. So each of the grandparents has a day of the week where we FaceTime and she reads a story or two to us. Our day is Tuesday afternoon. She has even made up her own story books which is very fun!
Sheree, it is such a gift to be able to see these milestones in their lives. How sweet is that!!
Thanks for this great post, Jeanne! I am not an artist so I really appreciate the links you shared for the postcards. Already ordered them! I am trying to figure out how to do a virtual scavenger hunt with my 8 yo grandson, sending each other pictures similar to what you are doing with your grandsons. I pray you get to see those precious boys again soon!
Jane, I remember seeing some links for scavenger hunts…not sure if they were virtual though. I wonder if you could use Google forms for that? They could access the list online, and you can see the replies 🙂 Thanks for your thoughts on this. We need to put our heads together so we can think outside the box.
Sweet! Even though I am not a grandmother (and have no married children yet…) I feel for you. These are great ideas! Thank you.
Thanks for your thoughts and your sympathy, Stephanie. I wish I was a car ride away, but alas…planes are the only mode of transport.
What a delightful post and an encouragement to anyone long-distance grandparenting!
Hope you can make that trip very soon.
God bless you and your dear family, Jeanne.
Thank you for stopping in, Connie. And for sharing your thoughts. I am counting the days…
I love this! It has been very difficult to connect with family members during this time. I appreciate that you put so much thought and research into the post to offer real ideas to those who may desperately need them.
So glad you found it helpful, Kelly. Thanks for stopping in out of your crazy busy days to share your thoughts. I appreciate you!