Long-Distance Grandparenting

Not everyone is lucky enough to live close to their grandchildren.  While distance can create a unique set of challenges, they can all easily be overcome, especially in today's modern world.  

The first step is to engage your own children about the progress and development of the grandchild.  Request frequent updates as they progress from baby to toddler to young child.  Learn their likes and dislikes, interests, and everything else you can about their lives.  That way when the child is old enough to interact through letters, email, or the phone, you'll be ready to have a relationship based on their interests.  

In the old days, letters and telephone calls were the only way grandparents could interact with their grandchildren from a distance.  But thanks to the internet, long-distance communication has gotten a whole lot easier, not to mention fun.  You can exchange regular emails, have set appointments to chat through instant messages, or the truly computer savvy can even develop a web site specifically for their grandchild to visit.  You can even exchange pictures and videos to bring the family closer together.       

Of course, the internet isn't the only way to grandparent from a distance.  Regular telephone calls should become a fixture of your weekly routine.  There's no substitute for hearing your loved one's voice.  And while emails are fast and easy, they don't have the intimacy of a handwritten letter.  Take advantage of the postal service to send cards, letters, and special surprise packages to always remind your grandchild of your love.