The bond between grandparents and grandchildren enriches family life. Grandparents can help children grow up in a loving environment with strong family support. And grandchildren improve their grandparents’ quality of life.
Whether you live near or far from your grandchildren, you have many ways to strengthen your relationship with them. Consider these tips for bonding with your grandchildren.
1. Frequently Spend Time Together
Like with any meaningful relationship, it takes time to build and strengthen a deep connection with your grandchildren. If you live near to your grandkids, it can be easier to spend more time with them. But even if you live further away, modern technology closes geographical gaps.
Prioritize visiting your grandkids and having them visit you. Or use frequent video calls, at least once a week, to stay in touch. Give your grandkids one-on-one attention so that you develop a relationship with each of them. Keep in mind that time moves differently for children, so don’t let too much time pass before you see or talk to each other again.
2. Share a Hobby
The next tip for bonding with your grandchildren is to share a hobby. It’s a great way to ensure you have an activity you can do together. And as time passes, your skills will grow, and you’ll create beautiful memories. Hobbies can include cooking, collecting items, doing puzzles, listening to music, quilting, woodworking, reading, and more.
Choose an activity that you’re interested in, and your enthusiasm will help spark the child’s interest. Keep your hobby low-stress and fun so that you and the kids can come back to it time and time again.
3. Give Meaningful Gifts
Giving a meaningful gift is a wonderful way to bond with your grandchildren. While you can’t build your relationship on material transactions, the right gift shows your thoughtfulness and care. And the gift can help you feel closer even when you’re not nearby.
If you know an older child’s interests and hobbies, that makes it easier to choose a gift they will appreciate. But it can be challenging to think of meaningful gift ideas to give a baby or toddler. Consider personalizing a classic gift, such as a stuffed toy, with a customized embroidered message. This will make the gift unique and one-of-a-kind.
By spending time together, sharing a hobby, and giving meaningful gifts, you’ll grow close to your grandchildren. The relationship you build together is an irreplaceable part of your life, and the steps you take to make it better will benefit you and them in innumerable ways.
