The Good Life – January-February 2016

2. Quarterly weekends away.
After our kids went to my parent’s house for the weekend,
and my wife and I had the weekend alone, we decided we
had to do this on a regular basis. Talk to your parents and
plan, together, a quarterly weekend away for your kids at
their grandparents’ house. Our kids enjoyed sleeping in
Granny and Paw Paw’s bed, eating Granny’s cooking, and
enjoying breakfast and the morning paper with Paw Paw.
At the same time, we enjoyed unlimited and unrestricted
dates and a good break.
3. Text messaging.
This is probably the number one way my parents connect
with their grandkids. Text messaging has made it easy to
send a quick, short message to say hi or get an update on
your day. Our kids don’t have cell phones yet, but they are
learning to use ours to connect with their grandparents.
4. Don’t miss birthdays.
My wife and my mother-in-law are great about this. They
both go out of their way to show up (normally in surprise
fashion) on birthdays. If your parents are in driving
distance, make sure both your kids and your parents get
to see each other and celebrate life on birthdays. Not just
the big 60th, 70th, or 80th birthday parties, but as many
as you can make.
5. Social media.
Social media has connected the world like no other
form of media has. It is user friendly enough that
grandparents can use it. Posting status updates and
pictures on Facebook or Instagram is a great way to keep
the grandparents in the loop of what is happening in the
lives of their grandchildren. As they get older, they can
communicate with one another using their social media
profiles.
6. Blogs and websites.
Much like social media, a blog can be used to share the
latest and greatest things happening in your kids’ lives.
And as they get older, your kids can create their own.
Show your parents how to subscribe to receive updates
of new blog posts; they will be up to date and able to
comment on what your kids are doing.
7. Family vacations and road trips.
A few years ago we went on a family vacation to Disney
World and we rented a vehicle and drove. The road
trip was long, but it was fun for both grandkids and
grandparents. Once we got there, the time we spent was
both memorable and fun! ■
Copyright 2015 Family First. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission.
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