8 Things To Send With Grandchildren When They Move Away
I was in an antique store recently when I heard a lady remark how antiques brought back memories of her grandparents. Her comment struck a connection. There we stood, smiling and chatting, when she confessed that she’d lost many precious years without her grandparents. Her parents moved across the country when she was a kid, and even today, she still feels pangs of loss. I had just met a kindred spirit. By the end of the conversation, we’d exchanged names and memories.
Unless you’ve been through it yourself, you might not realize how difficult it is for grandchildren to move away from devoted grandparents. Sometimes, parents relocate to advance their careers. Other times, divorce ends with a move for one or both parents. No matter the circumstances, one thing is clear. Everyone will feel an acute sense of loss.
Fortunately, there are steps grandparents can take to soften the blow when life whisks away your grandkids. Here are a few ways to keep your grandchildren emotionally close even when they’re far away.
Send Them Your Smile
Letting your grandchildren see your smiling face will go a long way in providing them with a daily dose of connectedness. Sweet, familiar faces can bolster their confidence on a day when they may need it. To this day, I have a picture of my grandparents on my piano. I smile at that photograph every time I sit down to play. Pictures are truly worth a thousand words.
Send Them Memories
If you’re a wordsmith, share memories through your interpretation of stories about items you’ve tucked into a memory book. This could include birthday or holiday pictures, ticket stubs from movies or amusement parks you enjoyed, a pressed wildflower that represents a bouquet your grandchild made you, or a mini golf scorecard from a fun round of 18 holes. The opportunities for connecting through a memory book are endless! Don’t forget to place extra blank album pages in the memory book with a message that says, “To be continued…” Make it a goal to add to that book with every visit. Also, remember to make a memory book for each grandchild. It will be something they’ll always treasure!
Send Along Their Favorite Treat
On The Andy Griffith Show, Andy once said he never left for a trip that Aunt Bee didn’t run after him with a sack full of sandwiches for him to eat along the way. That was part of Aunt Bee’s love language. Say goodbye to your grandchildren in a similar love language by gifting them their favorite snacks. It can be as simple as a candy bar or a package of cookies. The sweet treat will be sure to neutralize the sour taste of their departure. Don’t forget to repeat baked good gifts and candy care packages for birthdays and holidays that they don’t get to spend with you!
Send Something You Wear
My children always knew when their grandfather came to their small school to drop off doughnuts for the staff. When my children would change classes, they’d smell his cologne lingering in the hallway and would tease him about how much he wore. Consider gifting your grandchildren an old shirt with your favorite scent on it. My grandmother didn’t use perfume, but she used Noxema every night to wash her face. In college, I bought some to use on my own face. It’s amazing how a simple aroma can bring you closer to a loved one. So, grab that old sweater or flannel from the closet. You don’t need to douse it with a fragrance. Your scent (which is already known to your grandchildren) will be enough.
Send a Sentimental Object
Do you have a book you read to your grandchildren at bedtime? Send it with them and buy a new copy for their next visit. That way, they can find comfort in reading your special book before they close their eyes for the night. Is there a doll or toy they play with at your house? Send it with them. Like Linus Van Pelt with his blue blanket, a lot of security can be found in a toy from your home. And let’s face it—in a world that will be completely new to your grandchildren, the gift of a familiar object will be priceless.
Send a Rock
Kids love rocks, and many young children make them into pets. Why not send a rock from your yard to help smooth the transition to your grandkids’ new yard? Every day, when they step outside, they can see a tangible reminder of home and you. Or maybe they’ll choose one they can place on their shelf. If you want to get creative, you can use a marker to write a message on the rock. The sentimental value of that gesture will rock your grandkids’ new world.
Send a Memory Quilt
If Grandma is handy with basting and stitching, a memory quilt would be a wonderful going-away gift. Sacrifice some of the clothing that your grandchildren see you in a lot. My grandfather wore flannel shirts a lot and had a handkerchief in his pocket at all times. My grandmother wore some familiar casual clothes around their farm and dresses to stores or church. She would always tie one of her scarves around my sister’s and my ears in cold weather. Such a gift would provide both physical and emotional warmth. The stitches that hold the fabric together could help do the same for your grandchild’s relocation anxiety. It is a gift that will last a lifetime.
Send Technology
It might not seem like something you want your young grands to be too familiar with, but the gift of a phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer can bring you face-to-face with your distant family. Technology is expensive, but you won’t be able to put a price tag on your grandchildren’s faces as you see the sweet smiles that will shorten the distance between you. I know long-distance grandparents who would never be able to have the kind of relationships with their grandchildren without the help of FaceTime, Google Meet, Skype, etc. You can be at your grandchildren’s events via electronics without leaving your living room. It’s one of the easiest ways to span the miles and be present even when you aren’t in the same room or even state!
Looking for more?
If you liked this article, be sure to check out these before you go!
- The Dos and Don’ts of Grandparenting
- 5 Biggest Mistakes Grandparents Make
- 7 Unique Things Grandparents Offer Grandchildren
- 7 Meaningful Ways Grandparents Can Support Grandchildren During Divorce
- 10 Ways to Survive Being a Long-Distance Grandparent
- A Grandparent’s Guide to Water Safety This Summer
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Originally published May 01, 2025
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