With summer upon us, many of us will be making the most of the weather and taking a holiday. And if your grandchildren live far away, then you might be planning on taking a week out to spend some time with them.
However, keeping up with the grandchildren can often be tricky when they’re not living nearby, and long distance grand parents can often feel that they’re missing out. So how should you approach long distance grand parenting? And can you bridge the gap when you don’t see them very often?
Long distance grand parenting can and does work, but here are a few pointers to help you along the way.
Keeping in regular contact is an obvious way to maintain a relationship and we’re lucky enough now to have so many forms of communication. So make the most of the telephone, and get to grips with technology. Use Skype for video calls, and if you don’t know how, learn to text and email. This is especially good for communication with teens.
Build up your own life, interests and friends. Rather than dwelling on how much you’re missing out on, staying busy and occupied until you see them again will plug the gap.
Try not to worry that out of sight means out of mind. The precious time you do spend together will never be forgotten, and as long as they know you’re interested and there for them, the bond between you and your grandchildren will always remain strong.
