grandfather with babyWith life’s busy schedule, it can be hard to make time to spend with your grandchild…even if you live in the same city. That being said, it’s sad to think how quickly time flies by and how long stretches of time can pass without seeing your grandchild. To solve the problem, schedule a time–once a week, once a month, or whenever is convenient for both you and your grandchild–for the two of you to do something special together. By setting aside time for them and adding yourself to their schedule, it becomes easier for you to make time for each other, and it could be a great opportunity to create a new grandparent/grandchild tradition.
Once you get in the habit of seeing them regularly, what are you going to do together? Some fun ideas are: have a weekly lunch with Grandpa and Grandma. You could schedule a monthly play date to somewhere new and fun such as the zoo or a local amusement park. Try to take them to their weekly sport’s practice or pick a day of the week to take them to school. Your options are limitless, and having a regular scheduled event can give you and your grandchild something to look forward to!
The greatest idea for any grandparent is to structure yourself into your grandchild’s everyday life. It does not matter if you live 2,000 miles away, you can figure out how to be a part of your grandchild’s daily life. For example, with today’s technology there are all sorts of ways to communicate! Have a weekly time set to talk to them, or even video chat with them. When you do talk to them, it does not matter where you are; make the conversation important and meaningful by talking about any upcoming events that are going on in their life. If they are about to start school, a new sport, or anything they are looking forward to, have a count down. This way, they know you are looking forward to their new activity too!  By showing interest in what is going on in their life, they will know you are a part of it too!
Make sure not to focus on any failures or disappointing performances your grandchild might have had. Focus on trying to always make your conversations positive, and they will always be excited to share with you! When children are young, any positive conversations or exciting moments can be special, and being a part of their everyday life can make your day as a grandparent equally as meaningful!