Guest Post by: Michelle Eisenberg

Over the holidays, we were fortunate to have a visit from my parents (also known as Gwamma and Gwampa).  Since they live far away, this time together was an intensive installment of warm memories and good bonding.  Silly songs filled the air, snuggles were exchanged, and a lot of nose stealing took place!  In the end, my son was very sad to see them go back to Wisconsin.

I have similarly fond memories of time spent with my grandparents – playing card games, going to the beach, listening to their stories, special sleep-over arrangements,  special foods, and much, much more.  All of that time spent together boosted my self-esteem, fostered my love of history and commitment to community, and ingrained in me some of my most essential values.

Thinking back on this, I realize how important it is to make sure my son builds meaningful relationships with his grandparents, whether it’s Pop-Pop who lives nearby or the others who are a plane ride away.

Cultivating these bonds and observing the loving interactions between the very young and “seniors” can also bring about some surprising returns on investment:

You get a reminder of what your childhood was like.  Watching my folks play with my little boy, I was able to relive the games I played as a kid.  I realized how much my mom and dad must have enjoyed our moments together – the same way I adore my son.

You gain a new appreciation for your parents.  It has been a long time since I had an occasion to do something creative with my mom and dad – their grandson demands constant innovation, and they deliver.  My father-in-law demonstrates the patience of a saint and the endurance of a marathoner when it comes to his grandson.  And my mother-in-law breaks out a downright silly side that she hides very well otherwise.

You can see your kid through someone else’s eyes for a while.  Getting together with grandparents enables you to slow down and take stock of how your child has grown and changed since the last visit.  Grandparents may also tune into behaviors or concerns that you might ignore or deny – hopefully, they will alert you to them sensitively and constructively.

Just as I have been amazed to watch my own relationship with my son develop, I have been inspired and awed by the evolution of my parents’ and in-laws’ attachment to their grandchild.  Thank goodness for the Internet, which makes it so much easier to share photos, videos, and even have live visuals – all of this contact can help keep relationships strong when your folks live far away.

If your child’s grandparents are not local, what are some of the ways you have found to build these connections across the miles?