“Grand” Ways for Kids to Connect with Grandparents
My husband and I beamed as we listened to our five-year-old granddaughter read her storybook to us. I know--we aren’t the only grandparents who have experienced such a proud moment. But our sharing was rather unique, for it was via a web-camera. That was a view years back, now there is Skype. Technology just keeps moving forward. I'll have to say, it's the next best thing to being there.
Phone calls are always appreciated, and younger children feel important to dial up their “Grands.” But to avoid playing phone tag, a grandchild and grandparent may want to set a specific time and day to connect. Grandkids learn early the importance of connecting with family and habits are set for life. If grandparents don’t have cell phones, or if they are on a budget, phone cards are affordable and thoughtful gifts for grandchildren to give. If the effort to connect isn't made in the beginning, it's doubtful that it will just start happening. We have to plan and we have to do.
The age of technology is upon us and if grandparents are onboard, encourage connecting by email or Instant Messenger. If the grandparents aren’t the techie type, remember snail mail (postal service) is always in style. Stock-up on fun postcards, and encourage the kids to write. Postcards are small and grandkids can manage to fill one by jotting down the happenings of the day.
An easy, but important thing for younger children to do is mail coloring sheets and drawings to grandpa and grandma. Grandparents will love posting them on the fridge and showing the latest art gallery to all their friends.
Parents can share their child’s daily life with grandparents by selecting pictures for a photo calendar. Pictures snapped at dance recitals, sports events, and special moments make great pictures for the month-by-month project. If a family has the technical resources, these calendars can easily be made at home, otherwise, have them printed at a photo store. Either way, it will be a treasure for the long distance grandparent. Doing this project year after year allows the grandparent at a distance to be a part of their grandchild’s life.
Moms and dads can further enhance the grandkid connection by sending current snapshots and photos of their children. Grandparents always want to show the latest photo of their grandchild. Talking picture frames add a zing to the gift when sending these photos. One year our daughter snapped a pix of her children and recorded them singing Happy Birthday to grandpa—how fun! Seasonal novelty frames are another clever way to give snapshots.
Opportunities for connecting across the miles are abundant—the web-cam, Skype, Internet, cell phones, snail mail, photo projects, and videos are some of the easiest and most endearing. Parents--make a grandparent proud, foster life-long habits of love—encourage your child to connect.
9 WAYS TO STAY “GRANDLY” CONNECTED
1. Skype or Web-Cameras
2. Phone—cell, camera, phone cards
3. Internet—email/Instant Messenger
4. Videotapes
5. Snail Mail Postcards (postal service)
6. Refrigerator Art
7. Photo Calendars
8. Photos—talking picture frames
9. Novelty Picture Frames
Phone calls are always appreciated, and younger children feel important to dial up their “Grands.” But to avoid playing phone tag, a grandchild and grandparent may want to set a specific time and day to connect. Grandkids learn early the importance of connecting with family and habits are set for life. If grandparents don’t have cell phones, or if they are on a budget, phone cards are affordable and thoughtful gifts for grandchildren to give. If the effort to connect isn't made in the beginning, it's doubtful that it will just start happening. We have to plan and we have to do.
The age of technology is upon us and if grandparents are onboard, encourage connecting by email or Instant Messenger. If the grandparents aren’t the techie type, remember snail mail (postal service) is always in style. Stock-up on fun postcards, and encourage the kids to write. Postcards are small and grandkids can manage to fill one by jotting down the happenings of the day.
An easy, but important thing for younger children to do is mail coloring sheets and drawings to grandpa and grandma. Grandparents will love posting them on the fridge and showing the latest art gallery to all their friends.
Parents can share their child’s daily life with grandparents by selecting pictures for a photo calendar. Pictures snapped at dance recitals, sports events, and special moments make great pictures for the month-by-month project. If a family has the technical resources, these calendars can easily be made at home, otherwise, have them printed at a photo store. Either way, it will be a treasure for the long distance grandparent. Doing this project year after year allows the grandparent at a distance to be a part of their grandchild’s life.
Moms and dads can further enhance the grandkid connection by sending current snapshots and photos of their children. Grandparents always want to show the latest photo of their grandchild. Talking picture frames add a zing to the gift when sending these photos. One year our daughter snapped a pix of her children and recorded them singing Happy Birthday to grandpa—how fun! Seasonal novelty frames are another clever way to give snapshots.
Opportunities for connecting across the miles are abundant—the web-cam, Skype, Internet, cell phones, snail mail, photo projects, and videos are some of the easiest and most endearing. Parents--make a grandparent proud, foster life-long habits of love—encourage your child to connect.
9 WAYS TO STAY “GRANDLY” CONNECTED
1. Skype or Web-Cameras
2. Phone—cell, camera, phone cards
3. Internet—email/Instant Messenger
4. Videotapes
5. Snail Mail Postcards (postal service)
6. Refrigerator Art
7. Photo Calendars
8. Photos—talking picture frames
9. Novelty Picture Frames
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