In two weeks I will be having my second grandson…well, I won’t be having him…you know what I mean…my daughter will be having him.
Seven months ago my first grandson was born…
What a joy he has been. He lives an hour away and even though I don’t see him as much as I would like I do get to see him about every 2 weeks or so.
This grandson will be different..
He will be a good 5 hours away by plane…
That offically will make me a long distance grandma. It’s funny how life can end up looking very different than you ever imagine it looking. Both my children’s grandparents lived within 5 miles of them while they were growing up. My grandparents lived just a few blocks away from me when I was a child.
I’m not sure what a long distance grandma is supposed be like….but I do know I would like to be the best one I can be. So here is where I need your help…if you have any experience either being or having a long distance grandma will you please share with me one of your special memories with me. How was that bond built…and kept/
I am flying to El Paso on the first of February and he will be arriving on the 3rd. Please keep my daughter and my new little grandson in your prayers.
I, too, am a new grammy! My grandson is almost one year old and about an hour and 15 minutes away. I have a “grandma” friend who gave me a great idea. Whenever she web chats or talks to her grandchild on the phone, or even sees them in person, she has a special song that she sings to them. That way they have a special bond and a way of remembering who you are when you are not there. I love this and am doing it now, too!
I love that idea!!!!!! Wow…now which song would that be????? My dad use to sing You are my Sunshine…hmmm I’m going to have to give that one some thought. Thanks for sharing.
My grandmother had special nicknames for each of us.
I was Sweet Tater and my sister was Apple Dumplin’. She had nicknames for our cousins too. I also remember her sending us postcards that were Disney themed because she lived in Florida as well. I used to love getting them in the mail!
No ideas for you, but just the thought you’re already making plans to keep in touch tells me you will find lots of ways to make sure this grandson knows you love him.
Oh, I thought of something. I have 2 great-nieces who live in NY (I’m in VA). I try to send them little things in the mail just so they know I’m thinking of them. That will work when he’s older.
Skyping will probably be your best tool to let him actually see and hear you.
Dianne, I love the idea of the song. How about This little light of mine. Congratulations!
Photo albums…simple..1 or 2 faces per page. My daughter played lots of, “Who is that?” Facetime is great. We do this daily, sometimes several times a day. It’s quick & easy. Skype. Buy the books where you read the story & it records your voice. Special things only you share — nicknames, song that he identifies with you, treats. My daughter plays my recorded voice singing “our” song when he wakes from nap every afternoon. As an infant, it is hard. Ut gets easier as they age. Daughter tells me names of his teacher, friends, neighbors, etc. so I can ask about them & understand what he tells me about his day. Visit on “regular” days when you can. Not just holidays. You can observe his routine, friends, school, etc. Ask daughter to share his favorites — toy, food, color, letter, word, pet, friend.
Aren’t grands grand! I’ve been a LONG distance grandma (no less than 12 hours) for 7 years now, and since the first (of two) was born I have written to her (and the brother that followed) monthly, on the anniversary of their birth. Each letter starts “Precious _____, child of God, how I thank God for you with every thought of you.” My daughter calls them my “Paul” letters. So the 9/3 birthday gets a letter every month that I’ve written on the 3rd, and the 6/24 birthday gets one written on the 24th. From the beginning, I included a 3-ring binder so Mom can file them away. Stationery is appropriately child-like, topics vary, but I kid them that they’ll never lack for evidence of how much Grandma loves them! It’s a throwback to the old days when we actually did write letters on paper – and don’t we all look forward to that?
My parents are a bit over two hours away but have always managed to stay close to our kids even when we see each other once a month or less. Mom was here when they were each born and helped out for a week. Somehow that seemed to help them bond with her. Even my shy little girl was more at ease with grandma than with anyone else but mom! They are very intentional grandparents. They have things they like to do with the kids based on their interests. The kids are excited every time they come in spite of the distance. I know you are farther, but I suspect you will find ways to bond and show your love. I sure hope it works that way for you!
When I lived far away, and my mother could not see the kids very often she would send them small packages. One thing that sticks in my head is a Berenstein Bear book. She had taped a picture of her and my Dad to the inside cover. So, every time I read it with my kids, there was a little reminder of Grandma & Grandpa. I know this is the email age but kids love to get packages, and letters. It is a way to stay connected and make them feel special! Congratulations on being a grandma! I look forward to it too someday and pray that my children are close by.
Not a grandma yet, but am very happy for you! I’m sure you will be a great long distance grandma. Can’t wait to see pics of the new one! Hope you’re having a grand evening. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Hello Dianne,
I can totally relate to your being a long distance grandmother. Our oldest daughter married a wonderful man, who is in the Army. So you see long distance I can understand. They had our first grandbaby while living in Abilene, KS, she is now going on 4. Grandbaby number 2 was born in July in El Paso, TX. We were able to drive to Kansas, but have yet to make it to Texas. If not for our daughter and family coming to us (they drive to Arkansas first to see his family and then here to PA). I am so thankful to God for providing cell phones and internet, they are our lifelines.
I have subscribed to your blog via my email and look forward to a new friendship.
How exciting!!!!! Tammy we will both have grandchildren in El Paso…how strange is that!!!! Wonder if they know each other….wow it’s a small world. My daughter and son in law just moved there about 6 months ago…my son in law is in the army too. Thanks for stopping by…I’ll let you know my thoughts on El Paso.
My Grandma Pauline was my very best friend, despite the fact that she lived in Ohio and I grew up in Minnesota. I wish that she were alive today because I know that she would have deciphered instruction manuals and figured out how to work a computer, Skype, and the many options for online games do we would never have needed to let a game go by without a game of cribbage. Unfortunately Grandma didn’t get to live with that type of technology. What she did live with, though, was tradition. Grandma would stay with us for extended lengths of time twice a year: Thanksgiving through New Years and sometime around Easter. Her presence ignited the holiday flame around our house. She was the tree-decorating cheerleader, the Christmas cookie master, and the one who kept the days leading up to Christmas rolling smoothly no matter our ages. Her recipes were traditional, the games we’d play we’re always classic, and she always had a story to tell. When Grandma wasn’t visiting, we would talk on the phone. For several years I was allowed to call after Dr. Quinn so she and I could rehash the episode before giving the phone kiss and hug and signing off for the evening (and the week). You are lucky that you’ll be able to communicate frequently and for a reasonable cost or no cost at all. The advice that I would offer comes down to this: develop traditions and routines. I feel like my grandma was never very far away because she made sure that I started each week with our phone dates and she always left me with meaningful gifts and stories that would keep her with me until we could chat again. You’ll be the special sort of grandma to this new arrival! Thanks for helping me keep the memory of my special grandma alive!
Oh Ashley you made my heart smile…hearing you talk about your Grandma was wonderful…thank you so much for sharing that. I want my grandchildren to remember me with a heart full of love like that. Have a great weekend!
Hi,
I have been a long distance grandma for 15 years. I have two grandchildren on the west coast and four in Europe. I live in the midwest. I decided to write a Kindle book to help other grandmas to find ways to bond and stay close to their grandkids, no matter how far away they may be. Check out my blog to see how the book is progressing. I would be thrilled to get some new suggestions and ides to include. You can also email me at kayannmarceline@gmail.com.