grandparent
There are currently an estimated 14 million grandparents in the UK. Nearly half of those surveyed by national family charity Care for the Family, used to see their own grandparents on a daily or weekly basis, yet today’s long-distance grandparents are most likely to see their grandchildren only once a quarter. Almost 95 per cent of long-distance grandparents surveyed wished that their grandchildren lived closer to them.
The survey results also demonstrated how long-distance grandparents are significantly more likely to make more use of new technologies - such as Skype, Facebook and email - to help them keep in touch with their grandchildren, although texting is used in equal measure by almost 22 per cent of both long-distance and close-to-home grandparents.
Katharine Hill, Director of Family Policy for Care for the Family said: “A generation ago, many children lived close to their grandparents and were a part of their day-to-day lives. However, modern day living means that today’s families can be spread across the country and even the world. Parents and grandparents may need to think creatively about how they can build good relationships across the miles.
“Hearing the news that you are about to be a grandparent for the first time is a special moment, but for those whose families live at a distance this elation can be tinged with sadness as most grandparents desperately want to be involved in their grandchildren's lives.
Children need their extended family...Studies have shown that spending time with a grandparent is linked with better social skills and fewer behavioural problems."
“It can also be difficult for parents to get the support they need when the wider family lives miles away. Particularly in the case of first-time parents, hands-on grandparents really can be a godsend," she added.
Over a third of respondents said they felt that the most important role they played as a grandparent was ‘confidant and source of comfort,’ followed by ‘role model’ (23 per cent) and ‘playmate/fun provider’ (17 per cent).
“Children need their extended family, and grandparents have a unique opportunity to influence the lives of their grandchildren in a positive way. Studies have shown that spending time with a grandparent is linked with better social skills and fewer behavioural problems,” Katharine added.
“If the physical gap between grandchild and grandparent can’t be closed, there are lots of ways in which parents and grandparents can help bridge it in order to maintain and strengthen the relationship.
How to help your children build a good relationship with their grandparents across the miles:
1. Ask your parents to record stories that you can play to your children. It could be an event from their life or a story from one of your child's favourite books.
2. Put pictures of your parents around - on a low shelf for younger children - so they can get used to how their grandparents look. It'll make it easier for them when they visit.
3. Ask your parents to make a photo album that includes pictures of their surroundings - home, work, hobbies, and pets. It will help your child to feel they 'know' them.
4. With younger children, send their artwork to your parents and ask them to send back a photograph of it on display in their home.
5. Ask your parents to send notes or postcards to your children now and again.
6. Invest time in helping your parents get up to speed with any new technologies that your family uses to keep in touch.
Share your family relationship building tips with us in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
FemaleFirst
Shabana Adam @Shabana_FAM