National Grandparents Day is a day when we all remember the special bond that exists between young and old. Chances are you may not live as close to your grandkids as you’d like and may find it difficult to find ways to stay in touch and connected. Other factors such as health, work, or blended families may make staying close to the grandkids all the more challenging. Below are a few ideas to help get connected.

Connect with Parents

If you’re looking to build a closer bond with your grandchildren start with the parents. Keeping in regular contact with parents and understanding what their schedules and needs are will help you be a better grandparent.

Psychotherapist and grandmother of seven, Dorothea Hoover-Kramer, Ed.D., RN, and author of Second Chance at Your Dream, says “Grandparenting over long distances involves good relationships with the children’s parents since they assist with access, especially with pre-schoolers.”

Send surprises

Just because you’re a grandparent doesn’t mean you need to spoil the grandkids with gifts every time you see them. Instead, let them know you’re thinking about them even when you’re not together by sending things in the mail for them.

“For very young children I send cookies every 4-6 weeks just as a surprise and I keep telephone contact on Sunday nights,” says Hoover. For older kids, she suggests sending interesting newspaper articles from your hometown paper. “It keeps the grandchildren connected to my surroundings and allows them to read to their parents.” Hoover says for older grandkids “contributions for either buying an iPod or sending listening material work well.”

Get Creative

Artist and best selling author Lin Wellford says art is a fun and inexpensive way to connect with grandkids. Author of best-selling books on rock painting, Wellford says, “Going out to collect rocks is a big part of the fun.” She adds, “With less time devoted to arts in school, it is important that parents and grandparents ensure children get exposure to creativity at every opportunity.” You don’t have to be a professional artist to find an art or craft to share with your grandkids. Visit a hobby or craft store and find age-appropriate activities that will allow you to have some quiet time to enjoy an activity and conversation with your grandkids.

Make one-on-one time

If you’re a grandparent to more than one grandchild you may find it challenging to devote quality time to each child. Grandmother and journalist Elaine Shimberg says, “One activity usually doesn’t fit all, unless it’s a family dinner, I enjoy smaller groups where you can listen more.”

Shimberg has several grandkids and has a variety of bonding activities she does with her grandchildren. “I’ve done everything from form a ‘second-sister’ club with one granddaughter who is in the middle and feels left out, to listening to a 16-year-old talk about his confusion on picking colleges.” The point to remember here is to be flexible and allow as much time as you can for one on one with your grandkids in addition to the group activities you may do together.

Reading

Take a trip to the library and see what books interest your grandchildren or sit down in a quiet corner in their room and let them choose from their home library. If you have time, read the book first yourself and then again with your grandchild, so you have an idea of what the story is about. After the story, you may find new things to talk about and places to explore. Ask your grandchild what they think of the story to help get the conversation going.

Get Connected

Don’t be intimidated by technology. There are many ways in which the Internet has been able to bring so many of us together. Chances are your grandchildren don’t live as close as you’d like them to. Technology like Skype helps people connect with free video calls, so you can not only hear but see the grandkids you miss so much.

Quick ways to connect

The list of ways to connect with your grandchildren is endless and based on the unique relationships you share with your children and grandchildren. Below are some additional hints and tips on how to strengthen the unique bond between you and your grandchildren.

• Have them interview you on video.
• Share a favorite memory.
• Build a family tree.
• Attend a special event at school.
• Share a special talent with them.
• Go on day trips in your area to your favorite museum or zoo.
• Make a lunch date.
• Scrapbook together.
• Attend a sporting event.
• Listen.
• Let them know they are loved and appreciated.

"What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life, and most importantly, cookies."

- Rudy Guiliani

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