4 Ways to Ensure a Strong Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship
Your relationship with your grandchildren is just as important as with your children. To ensure that you maintain a strong and meaningful relationship with her grandchildren, there are a few things to consider. This is especially true when they are in their teens and form lifelong friendships and relationships.
Follow these 4 easy ways to help ensure “generational solidarity” between you and your grandchildren:
Communication frequency
It only makes sense that the more people communicate with each other, the better your relationship will be. This is especially true if she does not live near her grandchildren. Be sure to call at least once a week and ask what’s been going on with her life. You can also go the extra mile and learn about social media to keep in touch with them more often.
physical proximity
Not surprisingly, people who see each other often develop a stronger bond. Youngsters are confident that they can easily see you and run to you when they need to, which means they trust you and have someone nearby to rely on at any time.
For some grandparents, this can be a problem, especially for those who live far away or are not fit enough to travel frequently. While there’s no substitute for face-to-face interaction, modern technology allows for constant communication – use Facetime, Facebook Messenger, Skype, or any video chat platform.
early emotional bonding
Children are naturally close to their parents and siblings. Aunts, uncles and grandparents usually occupy the second circle. As children grow, their circles expand and they develop vital relationships with their peers. On the other hand, the circles of older people are getting smaller.
According to experts, those who form early emotional bonds with their grandchildren will find that the strong bond will last well into adulthood.
Shared values
Children are more likely to see you as an important and enduring figure in their lives when they learn lifelong lessons from you—lessons that shape who they are when they are young and help them become who they are today. Teach your grandchildren your values and beliefs, but don’t force them on when they are older and develop their own set of values.
To avoid a generation gap, be open and learn to listen to the younger generation.
The key is to develop a strong bond early on and do your part to keep the relationship healthy. Follow these 4 ways to ensure a strong grandparent-grandchild relationship!
