With another lockdown spell upon us, there will have been some sad and frustrated last minute get-togethers with family and friends, particularly with grandparents. It’s going to be a tough few weeks, with children desperately missing those quality moments with their Granny and Grandad. And yes, the feeling works both ways.
So bearing in mind the days are shorter and the weather is determinedly wintry, we thought it would be worthwhile reminding everybody of a few uplifting points.
Remind your youngsters that:
- Distance will make the heart fonder and save lives.
- Lockdown will end; things may be different but it won’t be like this forever
- It’s ok to miss people and feel a bit down from time to time
- You will all keep talking and communicating; with so much fabulous technology around, people need neither be out of sight nor out of mind
And once those things have hopefully brought a smile to some young faces, it’s then time to pick how they want to keep in touch!
Get crafting a smiley SOS
It has to be remembered that people who are more familiar with a postal system than email still really love it when a package is delivered. Why not turn a crafting session on the kitchen table into a cheery card making bonanza? It can help you use all that glitter still left over from the first mammoth lockdown too. And if you pop that in with a favourite treat, be that biscuits, sweets, or perhaps some winter bulbs, you’ll put a smile on someone’s face a few days later too.
Turn bedtime into a shared experience
Online video calls through Zoom, WhatsApp, or Skype aren’t for everyone. And the older generation aren’t always able to get their heads around the idea. However, offering to share the bedtime story moment with them over the internet may just be enough incentive, and it is a great way for everyone to come together at a peaceful time of day. Mum can read one night, Granny can read another; it’s a lovely way to send young ones off to sleep with happy thoughts.
Plan a movie night and then have a group call
Why not decide on a film that you’re all going to watch at the same time?… Even though you’re in different places. And then perhaps have a group chat about it later over Zoom. There’s something very reassuring about sharing an experience at the same time as someone else. It’s a mutual moment that can then become a shared chatter.
Run a family quiz night
Yes, there are plenty of them already available to join in with, but you can pitch your questions perfectly if you construct your own. You can even make it about each other… Goodness knows what they’ll learn about their grandparents!
We hope that’s given you a few thoughts on how to keep that connection regular and real between the generations over the next few weeks. Obviously, though, those are just a handful of ideas that we’ve had. Please do share your thoughts with us too… We are all in this together.