skip to main content

How do you deal with distance from grandchild?

8 years ago

My family, including my 3-year old son Kaiden just moved from Oregon to Texas. My parents are really sad and call/Facetime him constantly but since he's 3, he really has no interest in talking. (Or staying still for that matter!)

I found an app called Kinskii online but it looks like there's a waitlist for their users. Do you guys have any other suggestions?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

musicgale
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
We Skype Helen, and know they will be interested in us for about 20 seconds. Still, do it. And let your parents say "hi" on the phone, no matter how distracted he is. It will sink in:)
helen4458
8 years ago
Thanks for the advice! We've been trying to entertain him via Skype.. Grandma sends him little care packages of activities over Skype.. trying everything we can!
Related Discussions
How do you deal with racoons?
Q
Comments (35)
Here's a paragraph taken from the above mentioned article. "One of the biggest dangers to the success of any baiting program is people's tendency to trap nuisance raccoons and release them many miles away in another area. "All it will take is one infected raccoon transported past the baited perimeter to blow everything," Wilson says. "We saw this happen in Connecticut when the leading edge of the epidemic suddenly jumped 60 miles from the last known point of infection. The most likely explanation was that infected raccoons were unintentional stowaways on garbage trucks making deliveries to a large landfill in the area." I would question that theory, a raccoon would not stand still if it was inside a garbage can and it was dumped in back of a truck. That's completely a nuts theory. The coon would hightail it before the sanitary worker reached the can. The can would be open and the sanitary worker wouldn't come close to it if a coon was on top anyway. I think maybe Wilson has the right kind of smarts to be a succesful bureacrat and not a succesful gardener.
...See More
Lazy Grandchild..do you have one too??
Q
Comments (9)
Be grateful it is just your granddaughter, I have a husband like that :+) He was this way LONG before I married him (26 years ago) and I knew it, so I have no one to blame but myself. Try hiding some of her mess or the clothes that she lets sit in the laundry basket all day. When it is a vital item missing, and she needs it maybe taking care of her things will change. You can BET she didn't get this way over night and that she won't change overnight. Now, have you set her down and told her exactly what you expect from her while she lives under your roof? Does she believe she is your guest or have you let her know you are supplying her with free room and board AND expect her to do her fare share of the house or yard work? Why would anyone with maid service, a cook, laundry service, etc. help out with the work voluntarily?
...See More
OMG! How do you (or did you) deal with perimenopausal brain fog?
Q
Comments (30)
Debrak, you may want to read a bit more about vitamin D before you self medicate with a higher dose. We tend to overdo this stuff in the U.S. From the article linked below: " The US Endocrine Society guidance, for example, advises supplementation with up to 2000 IU per day, but this is overzealous, she said. "A more reasonable dose is 600 to 800 IU per day," she noted, adding that she is an author on a new guidance, soon to be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, which will state that 2000 IU per day "is not warranted." " The uv wavelength that helps us produce vitamin D is the same that causes aging and skin cancer (with enough exposure). So limited sun exposure is the key. Right now vitamin D is the new fad--- it has replaced the megadoses of vitamins a, e and c, and other supplements that seemingly everyone has been on at one time or another. Here is a link that might be useful: Journal Article on Vitamin D from European Endocrinology Conference
...See More
How do you deal with GC mistakes?
Q
Comments (8)
I'm a bit confused by the communication problem. Can you give an example? Are they doing the wrong sort of work? If the ends result is how you want it then does their method matter as long as they aren't cutting corners? The paying for time when they aren't working I understand. How do you know the invoices were too high for the work done? Perhaps they ran into unanticipated problems? I don't want to sound rude, but are you a construction expert? Perhaps you can arrange a set fee for the work you want done? That way they won't get paid for wasting time. Why must you take time off constantly to supervise the workers? Do you not feel comfortable with them working alone in your home? Could you possibly leave them alone and then inspect their work at the end of the day and make comments on the changes you want? I don't want to insinuate that you are hovering over the workers constantly, but it sort of comes across that way from your post. That may be part of the issue. Presumably the workers are professionals with a fair amount of experience. It is likely they do not like being watched like a hawk and told how to do their job. I am not saying they are acting in the proper manner, but I can understand why they might be a bit put off.
...See More
grandmamary_ga
8 years ago
Send his artwork so grandma can put it on her refrig. I had all kinds of artwork covering my refrig. 3 of our grandchildren lived in Texas and we lived in Georgia. It was hard to get to know them, but somehow we connected. We made sure that they had the birthday gifts from us and Christmas gifts too. We couldn't compete with the other grand parents on a monetary level so we just sent what we could afford. They loved us just like the other grandparents. I would also write them each a note from time to time. When they visited us we let them do what they wanted from tent houses in a bedroom to roaming through our basement. Fun things for kids who lived in a sterile neat environment. Nothing wrong with that but sometimes kids need to know they don't have to be neat all the time. Mary
helen4458
8 years ago
I am definitely doing the artwork idea! I think sometimes what they miss the most isn't the actual conversation over FaceTime but just being able to play together!
grandmamary_ga
8 years ago
I keep everything I was sent. I have a box in my closet that I keep these treasures in. I also date them and put their initials on the back. When they would visit me when they lived in Texas and came to Georgia we would measure them on a door frame in our den. Each year when they would come we would remeasure them. It looks horrible but I will not change it till we have to move. I look at it every time we walk through that door on a daily basis. Memories for all of us. They also love to search in our basement for things that belonged to their dad. Trophies, yearbooks. etc. Yes I am a saver of too much stuff. They have even taken things that were their great grandparents.
helen4458
8 years ago
That's amazing. If you ever move you should just take the door frame and put it in your new house.

You're a wonderful grandmother, I really think you would be the perfect person to try Kinskii!
grandmamary_ga
8 years ago
Oh thank you. you make me tear up. 2 of our grand children are off to college 1 has graduated from college, but we still stay connected via phone and facebook. I've been accused of too many comments. But I do it anyway. They will get over it. lol I miss those little toddler days 4 of my grand children are tall 1 is small but she is the mightiest. Tough young lady and takes nothing from anyone. But also very kind and loving. Good parents who love them though the parents are all divorced from each other. Now I'm on to the great nieces and nephews. Yes I spoil them too.
helen4458
8 years ago
Oh that's so funny! Grandma comments are the best, they'll be grateful for your constant encouragement when they're older :)
kathyg_in_mi
8 years ago
I face time with my grandkids and read them stories. Just put the book down on the coffee table and aim the iPad/iPod at it and read. They love it!! Especially the 2 and 4 year olds. I also take them on a "tour" of our house, looking at pictures of them and their cousins. Then we have to look at the fridge to see the latest "art work".

Face time is a wonderful tool!
grandmamary_ga
8 years ago
I bought Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you see when my now 25 year old was 5 and I have read it to all the little ones in our family. One day after reading a book to my great niece her brother brought Brown Bear over to me and wanted me to read it to him, his mom said he had never done that with anyone. so she took our picture while I read to him. It was so much fun as I pointed to the animal he said the color and the type of color it was. He loved it and so did I and a memory for my niece his mom. We also color together and make play doh shapes and animals. Playing anything with the kids is so much fun for us all even the grandparents.
Alison Hillhouse
8 years ago
Helen4458 can you tell me a bit about the activity packages you send your grandkid over Skype? sounds interesting!

Related Stories

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

WINDOW TREATMENTS 6 Ways to Deal With a Bad View Out the Window

You can come out from behind the closed curtains now. These strategies let in the light while blocking the ugly

REMODELING GUIDES 5 Ways DIY Remodels Get Derailed — and How to Deal

By Restoring our 1890 Victorian

Keep your remodel on track by knowing the potential pitfalls ahead of time

APARTMENTS Houzz Tour: Sweetening the Penthouse Deal

By Mary Jo Bowling

With a newly dramatic interior design — including a sexy lounge — this Portland home is now living up to its potential

SELLING YOUR HOUSE A Moving Diary: Lessons From Selling My Home

By Laura Gaskill

After 79 days of home cleaning, staging and — at last — selling, a mom comes away with a top must-do for her next abode

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Coasters From Cool to Classic

Let's toast to chic coasters that save your furniture and express your personal style

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: From Overgrown Weeds to Picturesque Farmhouse Expanse

By Mitchell Parker

This once-neglected 100-acre South Carolina site now features a lake, a wood-filled farmhouse and a far-reaching view

MOST POPULAR 15 Remodeling ‘Uh-Oh’ Moments to Learn From

By Mitchell Parker

The road to successful design is paved with disaster stories. What’s yours?

KITCHEN STORAGE Take Your Recycling Station From Blah to 'Ahhhh'

By Amber Hopman

Revamp an eyesore setup or just improve recycling efficiency with pullout drawers, stylish containers and innovative solutions

MOVING Making a Home Away From Home

By Laura Gaskill

Feeling like a stranger in a strange land? These tips can help ease the transition after a big move

Sponsored