Is your grandchild going away to private school? Perhaps you are wondering how you can fit into his new life away from home. You have always enjoyed watching him grow up. You've gone on trips and vacations together. Just because he's away at school doesn't mean you can't be close. After all, this is the 21st century when it's easy to stay connected.
Let's look at some of the special things a grandparent can do to stay connected with a beloved grandchild who's off at school.
It's kind of old-fashioned these days, but email is still a pleasant way of keeping in touch. If you are in the least bit literary, it will be good for him to receive nicely crafted emails with news and gossip from back home. It is important for him to hear and reflect on your opinions about issues and events. Email handles that kind of communication extremely well.
Just read your missives carefully before you hit the send button. Remember: you are not there to explain what you mean. So don't be cryptic. He's got plenty to do without wondering what's going on back home. It's also simply bad form to give him bad news in an email. Do that over the phone or in person.
Phone Calls
It's always a treat to hear a loved one's voice. He'll have his cell phone with him, of course, but he probably will have restrictions on when he can use it. So, work out a regular time to call, which is convenient with him. Don't be a pest. Ask if he is busy. Boarding school schedules can be very hectic at times.
by elisafair
If you haven't texted, then you are in for a treat. More importantly, your grandchild will think you are very cool. The younger generation seems to prefer texting to phone conversations. It will take you a few minutes to figure out the texting conventions. For example, "How are you?" is not something he'd text in full. You'll probably get a message like "How r u" The advantage of texting is that you won't necessarily interrupt whatever he is doing. His phone will buzz or ring to announce that he has a message. But if he is on the playing field, the message will be waiting for him the next time he checks his phone. It's kind of heart-warming to see a message from his grandparent which says "Thinking of you! Good luck on your exam. Love, Gramps"
Tip: turn off the Auto-correct feature on your smartphone. That will save you much embarrassment. If you use the microphone to dictate your messages, check the message before sending it. Make sure that you are sending it to the right person. Also, make sure that nothing in your message could be misconstrued or give offense.
I know. Facebook! You hate it. You love it. But your grandchild's generation doesn't know much else. So, grit your teeth and learn how to create your Facebook page. Load it with all the photos you can find. He'll spend hours poring over his 1st birthday party photos, though he might not admit it to you directly. Facebook is a terrific way to illustrate your family tree and show your grandchildren where they fit in. All those stories about your travels come to life when he can see the pictures and view the videos.
If you are unfamiliar with Facebook and its privacy issues, get one of your tech-savvy friends to show you how to protect yourself from the unscrupulous people who lurk on the Internet.
Are you ready for more social media? The kids love Twitter. Many of them prefer it to Facebook. He will probably use TikTok more than you will. The point is that you can stay in touch by following his posts.
With all social media, I recommend observing certain rules of the road or netiquette.
1. Don't post comments on every one of your grandchild's Facebook posts. Use common sense. You don't want to embarrass him. A 'Like' is often the appropriate response to a post. Of course, if your grandchild is posting about some accomplishment or achievement, gush away. That's what we grandparents do best. If you prefer, you can always post a laudatory post on your Facebook page. That way, only your friends will see it. Not his. Another way to accomplish this is to share his original post on your timeline. Experiment and see what works best for you. The important thing is not to embarrass him with silly comments on his Facebook page.
2. Don't post or share jokes unless they are absolutely sweet and harmless—the kind of jokes a third grader would appreciate.
3. Configure your Facebook settings to be as private as possible. I personally do not care where my Facebook friends are or have been unless, of course, they specifically post about where they have been. Not sure how to configure your Facebook privacy settings? Your grandchild can show you what to do.
Skype and Facetime
Zoom and Google Meet are excellent ways to visit with your grandchild. The apps are free and easy to install. Just be careful to configure it so hat you don't reveal any personal information you don't want to reveal. WhatsApp and Viber are the perfect tool for long, leisurely chats. The video is usually pretty clear, allowing you to experience the joy of seeing your beloved grandchild.
If you and your grandchildren have iPhones and/or iPads, Facetime works effortlessly. It's really fun to receive an unexpected call from your grandchildren when all they need is a hug and an "I love you!" Video communications are easy to use whenever and wherever you want.
Gifts
Depending on your budget, there are an unlimited number of gifts you can send your grandchild quickly and conveniently. That's what we grandparents do, isn't it? Send our grandkids money. They love to receive it. We love to give it. The simplest way is to send him money via transfer from your bank account. It usually costs nothing and is done in a flash. It is also secure, unlike sending cash in an envelope.
Be aware of his activities and academic schedule. You can send a care package or fruit basket during those hectic exam weeks and other stressful times. Naturally, surprising him is something you should try to do. He'll appreciate your thoughtfulness. So will his friends. Teens always appreciate food.
Visits
Actual physical visits to his school can get a bit tricky. Plan a visit around a weekend when the school is not amid exams or other major academic projects. Be there for a significant game, attend the school play's opening night, or hear his violin solo in the chamber music concert. He will be so thrilled you made the effort to come.
by roger4336
Now, the best for last. If you attended your grandchild's school, you will have several unique opportunities to visit and be with him. Alumni weekends are about returning to your alma mater to be with your old classmates. But imagine the emotion when your grandson is standing beside you next to your class plaque and admiring your trophies. That's priceless. The development people will be hovering close by too, making sure you savor the moment. They might even have a suggestion or two as to how you can memorialize those memories.
Enjoy being a grandparent. Be proud of your grandchildren. Enjoy them. The only thing better is being a great-grandparent.
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