According to AARP, over half of grandparents live more than 200 miles away from their grandchildren. Living that far away from your grandchildren can feel like torture. Worse still, visiting them might become more difficult as you age. There’s no way to sugarcoat it—being a long-distance grandparent is hard. However, there are a few ways you make it easier. Here are five you can try today.
1. Schedule frequent video chats.
During the pandemic, many people downloaded apps like Zoom, Skype, and others onto their mobile devices. While COVID restrictions have lifted in most places, you can still make the most of video chat apps! Schedule weekly video chats. Maybe daily, time and responsibilities willing. Video chats will allow you to see your grandchild and talk to them, keeping loneliness at bay until you can plan your next in-person visit.
2. Give texting or instant messaging apps a try.
Whether you loathe texting or look forward to checking your texts every morning, texting is a great way to stay in touch—especially if your grandchildren are a little older. Apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp make instant messaging easy, and there’s a pretty good chance your grandkids know how to use them, too. If you’re still trying to navigate the digital world, have your grandchildren teach you a few techy tips!
3. Start a long-distance book club, or have virtual movie nights.
Even if both you and your grandchildren are busy, you can still make time for each other. And what better way to bond than reading a new book or watching your favorite film together? As a grandparent, you probably have read more books and watched more movies, so don’t be afraid to share your expertise. Maybe you can get your grandchildren hooked on the classics, or they can show you a few of their more contemporary favorites. Whatever the case, schedule a day and time—perhaps weekly or monthly—to meet. Be intentional and consistent. Nothing brings two people together quite like a good book or movie.
4. Make a good, old-fashioned phone call.
Talking on the phone has become something of a lost art, pushed aside in favor of more instantaneous communication methods. However, there’s something to be said about actually speaking to each other that texting simply cannot replicate. If you don’t like video chatting or texting, a simple phone call is a happy medium. Talking to each other can help build rapport and strengthen those grandparent-grandchild bonds that are so special and important.
Related: Top Smartphones for Tech-Shy Seniors
5. Send photos and other updates.
If you can’t physically be with your grandkids for extended periods of time, you don’t have to miss out on important rites of passage! Send each other photos and other life updates—even if it’s something as simple as what you made for dinner or the show you just finished watching. After all, the little moments often bring the most happiness.
Looking for more?
Looking for more retirement resources? Start with these great articles:
- 10 Ways to Make Friends After 60
- 10 Ways to Enjoy Your Retirement in 2023
- 23 Ways for Retirees to Stay Social in 2023 (UPDATED List!)
- The ABCs of Living a Stress-Free Boomer Life
