Grandparents and Grandchildren
more ways to stay in touch
more ways to stay in touch
The world wide web is a marvel and has surely enhanced our ability to quickly and easily communicate with anyone, anywhere, but it is certainly not essential to establishing a close and loving relationship with your grandchildren.
Here are a few more options to help us be a part of our grandchildren's lives.
Stay Connected using "snail" mail- The US Postal Service
Write letters to your granchildren as often as possible and include interesting newspaper and magazine articles and cartoons.Use commemorative stamps on the envelopes and you just might spark an interest in stamp collecting that you can enjoy together!
Draw a picture with your grandchild. You draw a few lines, mail the drawing, then have them add some lines and send it back to you. Continue back and forth until your picture is done.
Write a story together using the same method. You begin the story and then leave off at an "exciting part". Mail the story and have your grandchild add the next chapter. Make your story as long as you'd like!
Record yourself reading a book to your grandchildren. Send the tape along with a copy of the book. Picture books with simple stories work well for younger children, for the older ones try a series - I love the Chronicles of Narnia and it's very popular right now with the movie version out.
Instead of writing a letter, record a letter. Have your grandchildren do the same thing, sending the tape back and forth with a new recording each time.
Send self addressed , stamped envelopes and stationary to your grandchildren so that it is easy for them to send you a note.
Sharing Holidays from a Distance
Create memories by making holiday decorations and/or gifts for your granchildren. Crafts stores have fairly inexpensive kits and supplies for almost every holiday.
For a faraway grandchild's birthday, buy party hats, favors, balloons, etc. and send them for the child to use at his party.
Bake and send cookies and other treats.
Watch television together, even though you may be in different cities. For example, at Christmas plan to watch a favorite holiday move like It's a Wonderful Life or Frosty the Snowman. Share your thoughts in a letter or phone call after the show.
Have a prearranged time on New Year's Eve for you and your children and grandchildren to each light a candle and make a special wish for the coming year.
And last, but certainly not least, when looking for fun
-check out this website
20 Activities for Grandparents to do with their Grandchildren- Long distance!
There are some wonderful ideas here.
One of my favorites was a version of hide and seek
have the parents hide a toy or treat that you have mailed to the children, then provide clues over the phone or in the mail to where the surprise is hidden!
This site also offers a free email reminder each week with a suggested activity to strengthen your bond with your grandchild. The offer is on their home page Grandparenting from a Distance
return to the Grandparent's pages
Here are a few more options to help us be a part of our grandchildren's lives.
Stay Connected using "snail" mail- The US Postal Service
Write letters to your granchildren as often as possible and include interesting newspaper and magazine articles and cartoons.Use commemorative stamps on the envelopes and you just might spark an interest in stamp collecting that you can enjoy together!
Draw a picture with your grandchild. You draw a few lines, mail the drawing, then have them add some lines and send it back to you. Continue back and forth until your picture is done.
Write a story together using the same method. You begin the story and then leave off at an "exciting part". Mail the story and have your grandchild add the next chapter. Make your story as long as you'd like!
Record yourself reading a book to your grandchildren. Send the tape along with a copy of the book. Picture books with simple stories work well for younger children, for the older ones try a series - I love the Chronicles of Narnia and it's very popular right now with the movie version out.
Instead of writing a letter, record a letter. Have your grandchildren do the same thing, sending the tape back and forth with a new recording each time.
Send self addressed , stamped envelopes and stationary to your grandchildren so that it is easy for them to send you a note.
Sharing Holidays from a Distance
Create memories by making holiday decorations and/or gifts for your granchildren. Crafts stores have fairly inexpensive kits and supplies for almost every holiday.
For a faraway grandchild's birthday, buy party hats, favors, balloons, etc. and send them for the child to use at his party.
Bake and send cookies and other treats.
Watch television together, even though you may be in different cities. For example, at Christmas plan to watch a favorite holiday move like It's a Wonderful Life or Frosty the Snowman. Share your thoughts in a letter or phone call after the show.
Have a prearranged time on New Year's Eve for you and your children and grandchildren to each light a candle and make a special wish for the coming year.
And last, but certainly not least, when looking for fun
-check out this website
20 Activities for Grandparents to do with their Grandchildren- Long distance!
There are some wonderful ideas here.
One of my favorites was a version of hide and seek
have the parents hide a toy or treat that you have mailed to the children, then provide clues over the phone or in the mail to where the surprise is hidden!
This site also offers a free email reminder each week with a suggested activity to strengthen your bond with your grandchild. The offer is on their home page Grandparenting from a Distance
return to the Grandparent's pages