My DS & DDIL moved to ME 3 days after Christmas '08 taking my 3 grands with them. :(
Anyway, in an effort to stay relevant in their lives I had an idea for my granddaughter. She had just turned 8 when they moved. I started sending her a card every couple weeks. I knew she was reading & writing very well; so I was hoping she would write back to me. Anyway, in my short, block letter written notes to her I always give some little tidbit of info about me as a kid her age...something she could relate to & learn a bit about Grandma & ask her questions hoping she'd write back with answers. Every time a gift giving opportunity arose like BD's, Christmas, Easter, etc. I chose her gifts very carefully & wrote her letters explaining my choice & again trying to reenforce little pieces of stuff so she'd know something about her grandmother. Example, last Christmas I chose a sterling necklace with little jingle bells inside & wrote a note telling her when she heard the jingle bells she would know I was thinking about her & love her. Then, told her about a very special necklace my sister had given me when I was her age (she's now 9) & what it meant in my life. The whole thing has been going incredibly well. I hear from DS & DDIL that even in this age of electronics DGD loves to receive snail mail & watches the box daily for my cards. She writes back immediately always sending me something she's made. She's started designing fashion & last week I received a darling card she'd made with a fancy evening gown on the front. She's answering my questions & starting to ask her own questions of me. So, a delightful success! I've got a penpal relationship going with DGD.
Now, for my question...
This afternoon I received the second of two strange phone calls from DGD's brother (he's 7). He also called a couple weeks ago. He's never phoned before on his own so this is something new. DS & DDIL didn't know he called the first time & I'm pretty sure they don't know he called today because DGS said they were watching the Celtic's game in another room.
Soooo, I'm quessing he's jealous of my penpal thing with his sister & reaching out for individual attention. Does that sound right? I whipped him out a card immediately after our phone call telling him how special his calls are & that he was sounding very grown-up. I asked him some simple questions about his plans for summer vacation. This call had nothing to do with Mother's Day because my DS called yesterday for the holiday & I spoke with all 3 kids. This was something different.
DGS does not enjoy writing like his older sister so I'm not thinking a penpal thing will be too successful long term. It's difficult for me to speak with him for more than a couple minutes on the phone because of my Sjogren's disease. My mouth gets so dry I can't ennunciate & sound like I've got my mouth full of mush. I no longer have long conversations with anybody...I speak in quick, short sentences. It works for DH & me but not good for talking with a little boy wanting something from Grammy. :(
I'm looking for ideas about how I can develop a special relationship with DGS. Something that makes him feel special & important. Something that shows that I care about him as a person...what he likes, what he doesn't like and even more important...why.
DGD is the artist of this set of g-kids. Since I'm also an artist I can relate to her very well in that aspect. DGS is the g-kid that loves music. Well, music, of course, is my first love. I'd really like to connect to him at that level but don't know how. I've offered to pay for piano lessons for 15 years so they'd know he could continue if it went well & DGS enjoyed playing. Plus, they have a baby grand in the home. My DDIL has a music degree. So far, they've not gotten him lessons. :(
What to do? The little guy is reaching out to Grammy. I want to be there for him...always. I want him to know he's loved & that we are a part of each other. When he's 35 & I'm gone...I don't want him saying to his wife, "Gosh, I don't really know anything about my grandmother. She wasn't around & I didn't talk to her much." :(
OK folks, please get creative...I need ideas for a 7 year old boy!
/tricia
jojoco
hawk307
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