Keeping our children connected with their grandparents in this pandemic can be challenging. I was fortunate enough to have my grandmother live close to me during my childhood and I have many fond memories of her. When we moved to the Bay Area from Texas two years ago, one of the drawbacks we had was missing out on the constant presence of my parents in my daughter’s life. We maintained that relationship through visits and phone calls. For this past year since the pandemic hit, we had to come up with new ways to keep that relationship going.
Video Chat. Technology has been the key to keeping my parents connected with my daughter during the pandemic. Unlike the conventional thinking that screen time is bad for toddlers, video chat helps toddlers build relationships. Initially, I was concerned if FaceTime was going to be ok for my daughter on a daily basis. But soon I realized it was helping to foster my dad’s bond with my daughter and they are staying connected remotely. My daughter asks for her grandparents often even though now she gets enough play time outside and has enough friends to play with through her pod.
Playing games. It’s not just story time that goes on during the video calls. My dad and my daughter have come up with games to keep themselves occupied. They each have their hula hoop and pretend they are driving to a grocery store and make a list of what they need to buy at the store. Or they decide who is going to be the bus driver next. These are extensions of my daughter’s pretend play scenarios that she gets her grandpa involved in. If you have a parent who has the time and patience, it would be very helpful for you if they build that relationship with your little one over digital media. Those phone calls may become your lifeline some days when you just need a break. Your parents can be your baby-sitters virtually and you can get a few minutes to yourself to finish a chore or even take a shower.
Learning. My step-mom was a Montessori teacher for many years before she retired. Sometimes she sends short activities for my daughter through the mail. For her third birthday, my daughter received activities with number 3. If you have a parent who knows how to play an instrument, teaching those piano lessons over video can be a resourceful way to keep the relationship close. Sometimes my parents send homemade goodies through priority mail so my daughter and we can enjoy some sweets for an occasion. This is another way to keep some traditions going.
Classes on Zoom. Find out if there are ways to connect through online classes. Occasionally my parents join my daughter in her Music Together classes on Zoom and get to sing and dance along with her in those classes. Those classes become extra special for her. Maybe join a yoga class together or a dance class. Online schools such as outschool.com is a great resource to find classes that cater to different age groups.
So, why is it important to keep our parents connected with our children in this pandemic? For one, it’s been a great support system for me even though it’s all virtual. And for our parents, it is almost creating the stimulation of having kids around them which helps them stay mentally sharp and engaged. It also lessens depression in instances where social isolation during this pandemic can become a problem.
How have you been keeping connected with family members during the pandemic? Please share with us!