I want to show you how to look for – and use – som...
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
1w ago
I want to show you how to look for – and use – something called bright spots in your grandparenting from a distance. Now despite what this sounds like, it’s not about looking for the positive in a sea of negatives – which I find long distance grandparents are often advised to do – not by me because this role is much more nuanced and requires more than simply focusing on the positives. So I’m not going to be the one telling you to just be grateful you get to be a grandparent. Or be grateful because at least you have Facetime. Both things are true and yes, long distance grandparents are usually ..read more
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Meaningful Gift Ideas for Your Grandchildren
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
4M ago
During any gift-giving season, it is always a great idea to check in with the parents.  Thoughtfully chosen books or toys might be wonderful gifts – but the only way to really know is to ask the parents. With so many parents feeling overwhelmed and pressured for time, a family gift card to a local restaurant they love could be meaningful and provide a much-needed break from the kitchen for the parents. Or a trip to a local arcade or trampoline park might help the family have much needed fun time together. Many grandparents like to give these types of experience gifts and so just mention y ..read more
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Long Distance Thanksgiving Wishes for your Grandchildren
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
5M ago
About to send out Thanksgiving wishes to your grandchild? Read this first! The key, perhaps not surprisingly, is to personalize it. Consider the difference between writing to a grandchild: I am so thankful to have you in my life. vs I am so thankful to have you in my life because you make me laugh with your funny jokes and silly faces. I’m thankful we got to…[insert moment shared here]. It makes a difference. One is something Hallmark will include in a card and the other is something that says, I know you, I’m noticing the many wonderful things about you, even from a distance and I love the ti ..read more
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Supporting your grandchild’s parents during a stressful time of year
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
7M ago
September can mark the beginning of novelty and transition for your grandchildren. But during this period of time, don’t forget the parents! Because for them, work can mean a ton of deadlines as companies regroup after staff being on summer holiday. Or new demands from a workplace wanting to make the most of the last quarter of the year. And then of course, for many parents, they are simultaneously getting kids ready for a new beginning, whether it’s their first day of daycare or college. Studies of parents at this time of year highlight that many parents feel anxious and their own kind of bac ..read more
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Meaningful and fun back to school gift ideas for your grandchildren
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
8M ago
Many of your grandchildren will be headed back to school soon – some have already started back depending on where they live. Creating an annual ritual and tying it to an important transition for your grandchild is a great way to make sure you consistently show up over the course of many years. I’ve put together a few quick but very meaningful ways to connect with your grands as they embark on a new year. They are easy, fun and meaningful – one of the ideas requires pencils and a permanent fine tip marker, that’s it! Don’t worry if they’ve already gone back to school – the first few weeks of sc ..read more
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9 Ways to Build Trust with Your Grandchildren from a Distance
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
8M ago
Trust is at the core of any relationship. It is created over time and through interaction with others. So how can you build trust when you don’t have the day-to-day or weekly face-to-face in-person time together that local grandparents get to have with their grandchildren? Here are 9 ways, with some practical suggestions for all ages. 1. Do one thing consistently at the same time every month.  Consistency is key to trust, and it’s also a tough one for long distance grandparents. Especially when you find yourself at the mercy of the parents and busy schedules! But there are numerous things ..read more
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Stay in touch with grandchildren from a distance by meeting them where they are at
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
1y ago
Yesterday, I had Aaron Larsen from GrandparentsAcademy.com come and chat with my members about how lifelong learning can deepen relationships with grandchildren. It was a great presentation and as usual, this incredibly engaged group of grandparents asked Aaron fantastic questions. I have a confession. I do this weird thing when I am not the presenter. When the presenter is asked a question, I write out what I would answer if it was me being asked. And twice during the question-and-answer period yesterday, I wrote down…meet them where they are at – and guess what Aaron’s answer was each time ..read more
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3 last minute ways to connect with your grandchildren and spring into spring
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
1y ago
No fluffy intro for this post because I have 2 very excited kids in the background, as we just arrived at grandpa’s house and there is a whole lot of SNOW here. If you aren’t with your grandchildren this weekend and want to add an extra dose of meaning and fun to your connection, try one of these ideas!  Skip to the last idea for something punny and sweet for your older grandchildren! Host a Virtual Easter Egg Hunt This one is so simple, and I promise your grandchildren will squeal with laughter.  What you need:   Easter treats to hide. This can be chocolate eggs but even bette ..read more
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How to cope with the grief and sadness of long distance grandparenting
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
1y ago
It turns out that writing about the grief of grandparenting from a distance is quite difficult! It’s one of those areas that is often ‘touched on’, but not written about in a meaningful way. And while I’ve been promising to blog about grief for a long time now, I have so much to share, that each time I start, I end up writing what feels like an academic thesis on the topic! So instead of putting it aside again, I’m going to share a few key points and promise to continue writing about it in future. Grandparenting from a Distance can be Emotionally Complex When I first started The Long Distance ..read more
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5 tips for writing letters to your grandchildren of any age
The Long Distance Grandparent
by Kerry Byrne
1y ago
The mailbox should be renamed the GRANDbox because chances are you are one of the only people to show up there for your grandchildren. When the US Postal Service started shipping parcels over 4 pounds in 1913, guess what prompted the first known case of a human being mailed as a parcel? Well, a trip to a grandmother’s house of course! Apparently, it was about 1 mile away and cost 15 cents in stamps. Rest assured the 10-pound baby was insured and successfully delivered by the mailman. It appears that families living at a distance have always been more than a tad innovative and entrepreneurial ..read more
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