Long distance grandparenting tips
Grandparents who live far away from their grandchildren can and do play an important role in their lives.
Maintaining and building a close family relationship takes effort whether you live across the road or across the country, but there are some challenges that are unique when you’re further away, as popping over isn’t always an easy option.
There’s plenty of ways to create and maintain a meaningful relationship with your grandchildren at any age. Here are our best long-distance grandparenting tips:
Think about visits
Think about how you want to approach visiting – this will be different for each family and may be dictated by money or mobility issues. Planning visits well in advance means you can prepare for them and help your grandchildren look forward to them. Do you want to be there for a busy holiday like Christmas, or does it make more sense to visit during school holidays when you can have their undivided attention? Knowing when you’ll visit next also makes saying goodbye easier.
Video call
Technologies like Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp make it easier than ever to see the faces of loved ones who live far away. Schedule in a regular time to telephone or video call your grandchildren. Consistency is key, and if they know they will hear from you on Friday night or Sunday afternoon, your grandchildren will be able to eagerly anticipate the catch-up.
Use the mail
Email and social networks may rule the day, but particularly for children, regular mail can be much more exciting. Sending handwritten letters or small care packages back and forth are a great way to maintain a connection and help turn the distance between you into a positive rather than a negative.
Accept changes
The reality of grandparenting is there will be phases where you will feel closer to your grandchildren than others. Try to accept and enjoy each phase – children may not be interested in speaking on the phone at a certain age, but then love it later in life. Or they may not have an interest in visiting, but then when they are older will relish the opportunity to leave home for a short adventure. Go with the flow and try to keep in mind a child’s lack of interest usually has nothing to do with how much they love you – there are many things competing for their attention.
Do you have any tips for long distance grandparenting? Share your wisdom in the comments below.
Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor
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