10 ways to help children connect with their grandparents

There are many ways to describe the beautiful bond that is shared between a grandchild and a grandparent.

--Everyone needs to have access both to grandparents and grandchildren in order to be a full human being. Margaret Mead

-- There’s no place like home... except Grandma’s.

----"Asal se sood pyaraa hota hai" or "The interest amount is more dearer than principal amount" to a moneylender.

I have always heard my mother say this to me and now after having two daughters I can attempt to understand what she meant. And this feeling of love and joy is mutual for my children too. They love going to Nani's house as those are the days when they are in 'no restriction zone' ,when they have the complete freedom to live life according to their own terms and conditions, they can demand anything to eat, play anything, sleep whenever they want, wake up at leisure, do lots of masti which is otherwise a BIG NO at home and in general rediscover the joys of being a child! They have the backing of their grandparents and even we parents do not want to interfere during those short visits to grandparent’s house. I am sure we all have fondest memories related to our grandparents.

Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren.
They have a wealth of knowledge along with experience which makes them the best teachers for our kids. They teach them values, pass on the family traditions to them, and other valuable life lessons such as importance of hard work, social norms, virtues such as honesty, respect for elders, joy, tolerance, compassion, peace, gentleness, faith and kindness. Grandparents can be great role models and influences, and they provide a sense of cultural heritage and family history. They can encourage child's healthy development which can improve child's developmental and learning skills. Children need love and grandparents can fill their life with it. They provide their grand kids with a sense of safety and protection. They are children's companion in play and exploration. They can serve as their nurturer, role model, and historian. Similarly interaction with grandchildren can give grandparents enjoyment, satisfaction, and companionship.

In present day scenario increasing number of families are becoming nuclear due to various factors, including young couples moving to other cities for better job opportunities and grandparents get to see their children and grandchildren only during vacation, or special occasions, or as and when the need arise. Geographical distance may make it hard for children to have regular and meaningful contact with their grandparents .

But given that a grandparent-grandchild bond is one of the beautiful bits of a family as a parent we should try and bridge the gap between two generations and facilitate meaningful and easier ways of communication between them.
Some of the ways to create and nurture this bond linking two generations are:
1. Sending letters regularly.
2. Sending personalized cards or gifts for special occasions.
3. Exchanging pictures through posts or whatsapp can help both feel connected to each other.
4. Creating a photo album of the whole family on internet of previous visits and adding notes about the pictures will help in reviving memories.
5. Regular phone calls are a good way to maintain contact. Phone calls on special occasions do make a difference.
6. Sending e-mails or keeping in touch on social networking websites.
7. Making Skype calls by scheduling a regular time for calls say every weekend whereby they get to see each other face to face can help in bridging even miles.
8. Visiting each other during holidays or special occasions.
9. Trips outside home during vacations where grandparents and children both are free of their responsibilities. This can leave good memories and help maintain emotional contact with each other.
10. Arranging surprises for each other by sending gifts, useful items etc.through someone.

Grandparents can offer unconditional love to their grandchildren and take care of even their smallest needs which we as parents miss on due to other responsibilities. They also inhabit a special place in the family as trusted adults who provide a safe place for children to turn to in times of stress, when they feel parents can not be approached. An independent and developing relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is invaluable for everybody.