Some of us in this “Miles Away” gang usually get to spend Christmas with our grandkids — but not this year.
Many of us rarely or never get to see their precious faces on Christmas, pandemic or no pandemic.
But all of us with empty laps on Christmas know that the “longing-for-them” meter gets a little out-of-control on December 24 and 25.
I wish I had great wisdom for getting through this time. I don’t. But if you and I were talking over a cup of coffee, I would share a few things that work for me.
- I try to keep in mind that video chatting is a miracle our grandparents and other ancestors never had. I do delight in using this marvelous technology on Christmas especially!
- I resolve to be upbeat when talking or video chatting with the grands. No boo-hoo-poor-me!
- Practicing “love the one you’re with” is especially important at holiday time. Focusing on your spouse, other relatives, and friends and trying to increase their holiday joy does help.
- Often I remind myself that it’s just Christmas. I get to see my grandkids other times, probably when they are a little less “wound up” and distracted.
- Plan ahead! I usually try to think about the next visit, although with Covid19, that’s a little bit difficult. But maybe now is the time to resolve that you will be with them next Christmas?
And, of course, I have abundant joy and gratitude for my grandchildren. I am so blessed. Someone once asked me if I was jealous of a friend who had grandchildren living on her same street. I said in all sincerity, “No, I’d rather have my four even if they live across the country than having her two down the street from me!”
Hope I made you smile. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Jane! I don’t know you — but feel like I do, you know? Thanks for this blog. It’s really helped me since my son and his family moved away in January.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you, Linda. How kind of you to write!
Man, 2020 sure presented you with lots of challenges. I wish you a 2021 of happiness galore!
Jane
Merry Christmas, Jane! Certainly our situations are not perfect, but like you, I am thankful for all the technology that helps us stay a part of our grands’ lives. Recently, our five-year-old granddaughter called on a Sunday morning. I was surprised, since I knew they would be at church. She was holding her mom’s phone and asking her little friend, “Would you like to meet my grandma?” I had to smile as she carried me around her church gathering, introducing me to her friends. It just seemed like a natural thing to her, but how interesting these modern times are to us who remember “long distance” calls. 😊
Oh, Donna, your little darling makes me smile and I don’t even know her. “Would you like to meet my grandma?” as she walks around church. How precious!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Jane
I just found your website. I have been trying to find a way to read a book with my grandchildren online. Do any of you know of a way to do this without us both buying the same book? I miss mine so very much but I am 68 and my husband is 70. He is currently having radiation treatments for prostate cancer so we certainly cannot go and see them at this time. Technology is awesome but I still miss them so much!
So glad you found my website, Sharon!
I get library books and read them to my grandchildren using Facetime. I explain exactly how I do this on one of my posts titled “I did it!” Here’s a link: https://www.milesawaygrandparenting.com/2020/06/03/i-did-it-an-easy-way-to-read-picture-books-to-grandkids-on-facetime-skype/
I would also suggest you look at my other articles in the category “Video Chatting.”
Sharon, another terrific way to read to grandkids that doesn’t require having any book is with an app called Readeo. I love Readeo! You and your grandchildren see the same pages of the book at the same time during a video chat. It’s fun to select books from Readeo’s quite nice selection. There is a charge for Readeo but the world of reading they offer seems worth it. It’s easy even for a non-tech person like me to read to my grandkids anytime we want! You can find more info at http://www.readeo.com I hope this helps.
I wish your husband well as he conquers his cancer. As a cancer survivor myself (2008), I know it’s a tough journey — and ever so nice when cancer gets in your rearview mirror!
Jane