Staying Connected: Tips for Long Distance Grandparents in Senior Living Communities
“Grandchildren are the greatest blessing a heart will ever know,” the famous quote goes, and anyone lucky to have a grandchild knows the saying can ring true. Grandchildren bring immense joy and pleasure to this phase of life. The challenge many grandparents face is how to stay involved and grow closer to their grandchildren in today’s busy and often distance-challenged world. Children, especially younger ones, can change so rapidly over the course of a few short months, or even weeks – Here are some tips for grandparents living in senior living communities to stay connected to those they love when they live apart.
Meet Up Onscreen
Establishing regular, consistent contact is essential to maintaining any relationship, and with children it creates familiarity when living far apart. Onscreen contact, such as regular video calls, helps you and your grandchild stay in touch and feel connected when you see each other’s faces. A quick, 10-minute call at regular intervals, such as weekly, helps everyone stay abreast of what’s happening in each other’s lives and creates momentum for the next call. These calls also offer the opportunity for creativity, perhaps you can read a younger grandchild a story onscreen and offer their parents a few minutes of reprieve! And for older grandchildren with email or personal phones, a quick check-in note or text exchange can let them know you’re thinking of them.
Schedule In-Person Visits Way in Advance
For regular in-person contact, arranging visits way in advance of the date will give you all something to look forward to and anticipate. And Beacon Hill provides a great setting to host these visits as grandchildren can enjoy the indoor pool, freshly baked treats from the Bistro, and riding bikes on our community paths. The anticipation time will build excitement as you make plans for your visit together, and it’ll give you something to chat about when you have your weekly calls, emails or texts.
Stay Up-to-Date with Photos and Activities
Since kids change so rapidly, investing in a digital photo frame with photo sharing capabilities will allow you to see the latest happenings. This will require some effort on the part of your grandchildren’s parents, so make sure it’s a solution that works for them, too. New photos will appear each time they send them to you and can help keep you in the loop. Along with that, keeping up-to-date on your grandchildren’s friends, activities, and interests will help you stay more connected. Ask and really listen about your grandkid’s life, and take notes if needed so you can check in later. Your grandkids will feel valued each time you remember the name of their best friend or ask how their big science test went.
Creating Traditions and Memories
Often the memory of a grandparent, such as the smell of a grandmother’s perfume or the taste of a grandfather’s pancakes, lingers for a lifetime. What are some things you’d like your grandchild to remember about you? Perhaps you’d like to share a favorite pastime, such as painting or pickleball? Or it could be an outing you enjoy each time you’re together, like visiting the local bookstore. These special moments of things you naturally do each time you’re together will forge deep memories. Check out AARP’s 10 Ways to Get Grandchildren Interested in Hobbies for additional ideas. Make a point to share these traditions when you have time together in-person.
Making Mementos
Along with creating traditions and memories, creating mementos of these times will provide a physical object for your grandchild to remember your time together. It can be a simple photo of the two of you together, or a souvenir from one of your outings together, or anything that will remind your grandchild of your visit after you leave – parent-approved, of course! Make sure to order one for yourself to keep at your home, too. For more ideas on grandparenting and ways to connect with your grandchildren, check out AARP’s Guide to Grandparenting.
The biggest factor in maintaining a close relationship as a long-distance grandparent is your relationship with your grandkid’s parents. Being open, generous, flexible and helpful can help you navigate your contact, whether in-person or online. And whether your time together is limited or expansive, your attentive presence and appreciation for the time you do have will immensely increase your enjoyment. hild
