- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Long-distance Grandparenting
Bonding with Grandkids Who Are Miles Away
By Mark Stackpole
O'Connor is able to spend a lot of time with the grandchildren who live so close to her. "Babysitting them so regularly helped establish a close and loving relationship," she says. "I also found that I play with and entertain my grandchildren more than I did my own. When they are here, they take precedence and the day-to-day housework gets put on hold. Needless to say, since I also work part-time, I am behind on my chores, but having the perfect house doesn't seem to be as important as it was when I was young. I can also do the chores after they leave. When they are your children, they don't leave."
Given her commitment to grandparenting, how does she make sure that her "long-distance" family feels included in her grandmotherly love? For one thing, Grammi and Papa sponsor both weekend and weeklong visits, sans parents, as often as possible. These visits are made to be extra-special, with trips to zoos, children's museums and ballgames being common. Fun things like flying kites, baking cakes and playing games? Check. Allowing some things that cannot be done at home, like watching favorite cartoons over and over again? Double-check.
Between times together, O'Connor makes and receives a lot of phone calls about special and exciting family news, and the mailbox is almost alway full. "We try to send books, a magazine subscription or a 'free offer' on the cereal box to them during the year so they get mail and know that Grammi and Papa are thinking of them," she says. "My grandson thinks his Pirates of the Caribbean
