The bond that grandparents share with their grandchildren is unique. You are not faced with the pressure of raising them, and you are able to give them all your attention when they come to visit. Whether you live nearby or far away, there are numerous ways you can bond with grandkids. Keep in mind that no two families are alike, and that goes the same for every unique relationship between a grandparent and grandchild!
Video Calls
If you don’t live near your grandkids, video calls are one of the best ways to connect. To make this a little different, you may want to go on a walk together, showing each other your surroundings and where you live. When you make video calls a regular occurrence, this will strengthen the relationship you enjoy with your grandkids!
Teach Them Games from Your Childhood
If you live near your grandchildren and get to see them often, spending time in person is one of the greatest ways to build a bond. Nowadays, children have many different activities to occupy their time with, including watching TV and playing on their tablets. Here is one way grandparents can come in and offer something unique: by teaching them games from their childhood. They don’t have to be anything complicated. Think hopscotch, hide and seek, marbles and more!
Take Part in Everyday Routines
Think about what you most enjoy doing with your child, your grandchild’s parent, growing up. Did they like to get your help with their homework, or do they enjoy having you stack bricks or dress up their dolls with them? Maybe they enjoyed helping you with grocery shopping. If you are unsure what to do, you can never go wrong with letting your grandchild choose the activity (within reason, of course)! If nothing else, you can always treat them to an ice cream!
Find Projects to Do at Home
You don’t have to be doing anything special in order to spend time with your grandkids. From something as simple as baking a favorite family recipe or working in the garden together, you can create some happy memories to last a lifetime. Otherwise, you can consider reading stories or playing board games with your grandkids. If you live far away, why not record yourself singing lullabies or reading stories that your children can play to your grandkids over and over again?
Plan a Day Out
If you don’t see your grandkids often because you live in an active independent living community, this makes it all the more special when you are able to spend time together. You may want to spend your time exploring area attractions such as visiting a children’s museum, taking a leisurely walk in an outdoor recreational space, or even treating your grandchild to their favorite meal in a restaurant.
The possibilities truly are endless, and it will largely depend on the dynamic you have with your grandchild as well as their personal likes and interests!
