March Activities for Grandparents to Share





March Winds,  
            April Showers,
                        All Bring May Flowers
An Old English Proverb

Blustery or gentle, March winds carry the promise of spring. As we see the grass greening up here in Midwest, our hearts are filled with energy and hope. I’ve even had some crocuses in bloom. How about that?

Grandparents if you have Irish ancestors, now is the time to share that with your grandchildren, and teach them about the lovely land of Ireland. In my book, Long Distant Grandma, I give a list of suggestions on how to carry that out, beginning with a trip to the library to learn about the Irish people, then share your favorite potato dishes. You might want to try a simple Irish stew, which is also listed in my book.

Next, search out Irish blessings and proverbs with older grandchildren. Maybe your family has been passing them down for generations. If not share this traditional one.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

While the winds are moving those clouds, read the children’s book, Looks Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw. This is a wonderful activity for grandparents and grandchildren to share, then make Marshmallow clouds. You will need

·         A bag of Large marshmallows
·         Saltine Crackers

Place individual saltines crackers on a paper plate and put a marshmallow on each saltine square. Place in the microwave to ten to twenty seconds (microwaves differ in heating time—watch for them to puff up, then shut off.) The marshmallows will puff up like clouds. Be careful! Let tthem cool. Delicious!

Don’t forget to connect spiritually during this month of transition from winter to spring. Use the Irish shamrock to teach about the Triune (three-in-one) God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let each leaf represent one person of the Trinity. Point out how all three leaves make up one shamrock, just as the three Persons of the Trinity make up one God, who supplies all our needs.

My book, Long Distant Grandma, has so much more to help you on your grandparenting journey. There’s even a section on how to remember your college grandchildren. Remember, once a grandchild, always a grandchild. I also list some children’s books to read when you have
a facetime chat or video for your grandchild. Don’t miss out on the book, Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss. There are all kinds of activities to do with that selection.

My last bit of advice for this blustery month is to plan to connect and do it. Life is busy; don’t let it rob you of precious time with your near or far grandchildren. If there isn’t a plan, there won’t be a connect, and that my friends would be sad.

Have a blest month and watch for the April blog. Love you bunches, the Cookie Grandma

(Excerpts are from Long Distant Grandma@2005 by Janet Colsher Teitsort, Howard Publishing Co., Inc.)

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