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What do you do? My son, an only child , is in the US Army and lives in North Carolina. We live in Florida. He and his wife are expecting their first child and our first grandchild in April 2008. My husband is eilated with joy but I'm concerned about not being able to see the child as much as we should or need to in order for it to know who we are. Yes NC is not that far but we are young grandparents (40s) and work full time jobs. My husband doesn't travel that well and of course the kids can't afford to come that often. I hope someone reads this and can give suggestions on what to do and how to be close to our grandchild. We will be there for the birth that is a must but then we have to go back home 400 miles away and try to keep in touch the best way we know how. E mails and phone calls. It is really sad because I want so much to be close to them and the child I don't want her ( we think) to grow up not knowing us or feeling shy when we do come to visit or they come to us to visit.
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Abbysmom
/ 12/21/07 @12:34
Hi NanaKat,
I too am a young grandparent (45 next month). I have 8 grandchildren, WOW right? I have 3 who live in the same town as i do and 4 that live 100 miles south. I also have one that i have raised as my own since the day she was born in 2005. I know exactly how you must feel. It is hard, but it does work out. At first my grandkids were shy and timid, but as the visit would progress they would start to warm up and by the time we would leave, we would be getting our hugs and kisses. They do forget between visits, but the phone calls help as they get older. Two years mold sounds like a long way away, but thats when my grandkids started realy remembering who we were. Believe me when i say, time flys when you are a grandparent. There is nothing more special then your first born grandchild. My grand-daughter Olivia is almost 8 and she and i are still real close.
Please let me know if this in any way helps you feel better. Take a video and lots of pictures when she is born, cos you would be surprised at just how many people you will be sharing this experience with. Congratulations to both of you and enjoy.
Brenda
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NanasCorner
/ 12/29/07 @23:44
NanaKat, How exciting it is to be expecting your first grandchild! Our daughter and her family lived 3 miles away and now they are about 25 miles away, which isn't much compared to 400. My husband sees the girls twice a week so he has a close bond with them. I also work so I don't get to see them as often. I call several times a week so they hear my voice which allows me to "visit" with them. They also have our pictures around the house so they see us daily. For a baby, I recommend the phone calls, videos, and photos so she will be familiar with your voices and faces when you are able to visit. Decide what you want the baby to call you and have her parents refer to you often by that name when you call, etc. For activities to help distance grandparents stay close, you will find a list on nanascorner.com. Happy Grandparenting! Barbara
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Ravinayar
/ 01/26/08 @16:31
Hi NanaKat, I am a very strong advocate of Videophone after getting them from www.GetVideoPhone.com. look at a utube video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5EcFhI9mPE
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Rosezircon321
/ 03/01/08 @06:13
This comment is for Brenda, I have been looking for someone who has and is raising their grandchild, just for someone to talk to about anything and everything about starting over again.
If u would, email me at Rosezircon321@aol.com
Melody
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Rosezircon321
/ 03/01/08 @06:13
This comment is for Brenda, I have been looking for someone who has and is raising their grandchild, just for someone to talk to about anything and everything about starting over again.
If u would, email me at Rosezircon321@aol.com
Melody
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Rosezircon321
/ 03/01/08 @06:13
This comment is for Brenda, I have been looking for someone who has and is raising their grandchild, just for someone to talk to about anything and everything about starting over again.
If u would, email me at Rosezircon321@aol.com
Melody
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Rosezircon321
/ 03/01/08 @06:13
This comment is for Brenda, I have been looking for someone who has and is raising their grandchild, just for someone to talk to about anything and everything about starting over again.
If u would, email me at Rosezircon321@aol.com
Melody
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mamatara
/ 03/11/08 @11:57
I was really torn up when my kids moved away. None of my children live close enough for me to see them without getting on a plane. I missed them, but when they started having children it got really bad. I was missing the most important years, but I didn’t know what to do about it. I never would have thought of an internet site, but a co-worker mentioned to me that her kids play with their grandfather on mygrandchild.com and love it. I found the site and registered in no time at all. Then I just emailed the link to my children and we set up times to meet. My kids love that their children are doing something constructive and educational online and we always have such a great time together. It’s so much like visiting them. For the first time, I don’t feel like I’m missing out! Mygrandchild.com brought my grandchildren back to me!
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grama50
/ 04/24/08 @22:32
I would suggest perhaps , having mom & dad regularly show your grandchild pictures of gramma & grampa and telling them this is gramma & grampa and they love you very much, and then as well like someone else suggested video phone or even just webcam on yourcomputer and your son & daughter in laws computer..they dont cost much and they can actulally see you when you call them on the computer... and then of course just try to maybe plan every few months to make a personal visit...400 miles is only about maybe 6 hours away, just a long weekend, and also maybe when they get to be about 3 or so , perhaps they can come and spend a few weeks with gramma & grampa... remember if there is a will , there is a way.... Take care!!
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chris45
/ 05/18/08 @16:37
I have a wonderful daughter in law who sends pictures and movies through internet website (snapfish) which also go to great grandparents in Germany. The grandchildren live in CT (6+4 years old). Grama lives in FL.
I try to call or they call at least every 2 weeks. I meet the family as often as possibly either in Florida, CT or Germany.
Now that the kids are a little older, I send them mail, postcards, little packages throughout the year, it doesn't have to be expensive, just something cute they love, a little craft, or picture, or little album of their last visit etc.
I miss them always and wish I would live close by and of course, I am missing out on a lot, but I try to make myself known... most important you need the help of the parents. They are the key in making sure that a relationsship between grandchildren and grandparents is developed.
All in all everybody benefits.
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