Building a strong relationship with your grandkids is important, and it takes time, effort, and patience. It can be a bit more difficult when your family doesn’t live in Newcastle, or if your health is getting in the way of being able to spend as much time together. But luckily, with easy-to-use technology you can do nearly all the things you would do in person and keep these relationships strong. Here are some tips to help you stay connected with your grandchildren despite the distance:
Use technology
There are many video conferencing tools available, such as Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, and WhatsApp. Use these tools to communicate with your grandkids regularly, so you can stay up-to-date with their lives. You can also use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to stay connected.
Plan virtual activities:
Plan virtual activities such as baking, arts and crafts, or playing games together. You can even read stories to your grandkids via video chat.
Schedule visits:
Make plans for visits from your kids and grandkids. When you’re with them, make the most of your time together by doing activities that you both enjoy.
Build traditions:
Establish traditions that you can do together even when you’re apart. For example, you could make a special dish or craft during each video chat or write letters to each other regularly.
Technology can be hard to learn, but it is a skill that can be mastered. Here at Home Care Assistance work with a number of external services that can come to you and teach you how to use technology. Learning technology, whilst helping to strengthen your relationships from a distance, have also been linked to improved mental health. There have been profound results from programs in Australia such as ‘Old people home for toddlers/ teenagers’ that connect the elderly with toddlers and teenagers. The senior participants reported feeling more connected, less lonely and reported better mental attitudes from this program. You can watch the promo for the new series here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvrXfNeuB4k
So when you begin to build your tech literary skills, the next questions arises; what to talk about?Sometimes it can be hard to strike common ground, especially if maybe they’re seven years old or a teenager and you “just don’t get it!”. Maybe try some of these!
Show interest in their lives:
Ask your grandkids about their interests, hobbies, and activities, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Ask questions and let them do the chatting.
Be supportive:
Be there for your grandkids when they need you. Offer encouragement and support, and be a source of comfort and advice when they face challenges.
Share your wisdom:
Share your life experiences and wisdom with your grandkids. They can learn a lot from your stories and experiences, and this can help them navigate life’s challenges.
Remember, building a relationship with your grandkids is a journey, and it takes time and effort. Be patient, flexible, and open-minded, and enjoy the special bond that you share with them. Home Care Assistance Newcastle is here to support the entire family in the Overall, long-distance grandparenting requires effort and creativity, but it can also be an opportunity to build a unique and special relationship with your grandkids.
