Faith and Fun Foster Family Connections with Your Grandchildren – Part Two

Grandchildren love spending active time with grandparents creating fun memories. Although activities that truly sustain lasting relationships with younger generations can take you out of your comfort zone, consider how you want your grandchildren to remember your times together.

Will they remember how you both laughed until you cried after forgetting to add sugar to the cake you were baking together? Will they appreciate that extra $20 that mysteriously appeared in their wallet when they came to visit? Regardless of age or stage in life, faith and fun are the best paths for fostering family connections with your grandchildren. In Part 2 of the Family Connections series, we will explore ideas for strengthening relationships with your grandchildren by adding some fun to the mix.

Embrace Technology to Build Family Connections

Embracing new technology can feel like a step into the unknown, but by choosing a few ways to connect on a regular basis, your transition will go more smoothly. For example, you can schedule a specific time to call each week, or set up a text message chat for quick check ins and encouragement.

When you use video calls and social media, you’re able to “see” your grandchildren more frequently, even if they don’t live close by. It helps strengthen your relationship when you know more details about their daily lives and what makes them smile. Platforms like Zoom and Facetime and social media sites like Facebook and YouTube can bridge the distance gap.

Let your grandchildren see you having fun when you connect with them in ways that take you out of your comfort zone. If your grandchildren are young or if they have children themselves, you can record yourself reading their beloved bedtime story or singing their favorite song. If you’re feeling adventurous, learn the new dance to a song you both love, and record yourself trying your best to nail the latest dance moves.

Ask older grandchildren to help you set up a virtual game night or an online game you can regularly play together. It shows that you have faith in their abilities and helps them grow in confidence as they create a pathway for connection.

Never discount the value of food. It’s not always possible to grab pizza together on a weeknight or to make them a tall glass of southern sweet tea. However, with just a few clicks, you can surprise them with meals and snacks, treat them to an Uber on the weekend or send virtual gift cards.

Even as you embrace technology, don’t forget the traditional ways of staying in touch. Kids feel special when they receive a letter in the mail. Send them postcards from your travels, your tried-and-true recipes and Bible verses or notes about how much you love them. Encourage them to be pen pals through postal mail, but be willing to email if they’re more likely to engage that way.

Make the Most of Your Time Together

When you can visit in person, you’ll want to make the most of the time you have together with your grandchildren. Whether your activities unfold naturally or you make a checklist of all the adventures you want to take together, make sure to build in the fun for memorable family connections. Some ideas are to plan a special trip, explore Florida parks, theme parks, campgrounds, beaches and rivers, find hobbies you can share or volunteer for a cause you choose.

Grandkids love creating new birthday and holiday traditions or ways to squeeze in some special time with their grandparents. You can treat yourselves to a manicure or pedicure, watch a favorite movie, go on a picnic, enjoy a community festival, or take a trip to the library.

Quiet moments spent together matter, too. Take time for a bike ride or evening walk, spend a day fishing, boating or canoeing or simply surprise them with a quick trip for ice cream.

The Perfect Backdrop for Fun with Grandchildren

Your adventures with your grandchildren create a legacy of love, and our community at Advent Christian Village is here to support your efforts to stay connected, including offering cottages for family visits.

Whether you want to impress your grandchildren with your backstroke or cannonball at the pool, have a kayak race or enjoy dinner together, our beautiful community along the Suwannee River provides the perfect backdrop for creating fun memories with your grandchildren.