Do remember when you were the grandchild and your grandparents made efforts to spend time with you?
How did they do it? What it did look like and how often were you able to see them?
Of course, this may not apply to every senior depending on unique past and present family dynamics.
There is a wide spectrum in this type of relationship, ranging from grandparents actually raising their grandchildren to grandparents not seeing their grandchildren at all.
In this article, we have provided some tips for seniors on how to stay in relatively consistent communication with grandchildren with the goal to maintain those relationships while sheltering in place AND for the future as well:
Talk to the parents:
The most efficient way to spend time with your grandchildren, especially if they’re quite young, is to go through the parents. This means you will be initiating the first steps.
If you can recall and have had similar experiences, being a new parent comes with multiple distractions. Your kids are probably so caught up in life trying to maintain a certain standard of living while raising kids that they forget to set aside moments for you and your grandkids to spend time together.
If you desire to have that relationship, proactively make the first move and talk to your kids.
Learn how to go digital:
Since in-person visits are limited in some states, this is a good time for seniors to get familiar with online communication.
Yes, phone calls are still a great route to go and grandkids will often be very happy to communicate with you this way.
However, young grandkids also love pairing that grandparent voice with familiar faces. Through the help of friends and family, learn how to operate video-chat apps so that your grandchildren can see you.
Send cards:
Again, this is a good time to ask your kids for some assistance. Set aside time to mail out cards to your grandchildren, whether it’s for special occasions or for just life updates. Send pictures, short stories, poems, artwork, or other meaningful material with the card.
Have the parents encourage your grandkids to send cards with their unique contributions as well.
Schedule window and outdoor visits:
If you are not quite comfortable with having in-person visits due to health reasons, schedule a time for your grandkids to drop by your house (or vice versa) for a window or an outdoor visit.
Set some ground rules for social distancing, especially if anyone in your family has any immunity issues, before having grandkids over.
Even though this year’s lifestyles changes has taken its toll on social participation, don’t let it stop you from getting to know your grandchildren now.
It may take a little bit more work and creativity than what you are used to, but the limited time we have to spend with family or loved ones is well worth the extra effort.
