Are you a grandparent who is missing your grandkids and feeling disconnected? Wondering how you can possibly help your own kids and grandkids when you’re required to be socially distant? We’ve got you covered! Our mom team here at FOC has been working around the clock since the beginning of this whole COVID-19 pandemic, to create resources that help unify families and give parents a break from all things homeschooling and working from home.
These specific ideas help connect three generations! They give grandparents a sense of belonging and connection, give parents time back in their day and give grandkids a change of scenery to connect with grandma and grandpa. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!
Grandparents - we’ve made it simple. Here’s how you can help:
TECH REQUIRED IDEAS:
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Download the MARCO POLO app on your cell phone, iPad or tablet. (It looks like a beach ball!) Have your kids do the same on their tablets or phones so your grandkids have access to the app. We promise this is the most user-friendly app you can find to take a video and have your kids or grandkids watch it whenever they are ready. It’s different from FaceTime because you can record a video whenever you want and they get a notification when a new video is available but have the choice to view it at their leisure.
*Once you download the beach ball looking Marco Polo app, they do have a demo video that you can find once you open the app. The demo video is a great place to learn how Marco Polo works. Here's how you can watch it:
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From the app home screen, tap on the Settings icon (looks like a wheel) in the bottom right menu
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Tap Help & About Us
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Tap Watch How Marco Polo Works
After watching that, you can practice using Marco Polo with the Polo Bot. You'll find it on your home screen. When you send a Polo, pre-recorded Polos are sent back with information about using Marco Polo. No one watches these polos. Just you. Once you have it down, ENJOY this new way of communicating with your family!
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You’re probably thinking: What do I say or do in my video?
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Read a book to your grandkids. Use a fun tone of voice and show them the pages after you’ve read them. Want a good book to read that helps kids clean up their rooms? Check out our Paddle Tales book here!
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Use your phone and take a picture of something. Text it to them and ask them to tell you what the first thing they think of when they see the picture. An example: A baking mixer or clothespins.
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Ask your grandchild to FaceTime or Skype you when they are practicing their piano, or building legos so you can experience them in the moment.
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Sing a song to them - some of the best songs are the catchy tunes they can learn and sing for years and years. Think “Froggie Went a Courtin’” or “Old McDonald had a farm.” (no one cares if you are off tune...they will find it entertaining and mom and dad will get a break)
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Show them a photo album you have and go through 5-10 pages in each video, as you tell them a little something about each picture. If the pictures include their parents, they will really be intrigued!
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Have someone hold your phone or prop it up on a stack of books, and video you making something like pizza dough or cookies. Talk to them as you prepare it and tell them why you’re doing each step. (ask their parents if there is something specific they’d like you to teach the child).
NON-TECH IDEAS:
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Write your grandkids a letter and send it by snail mail. In your letter, ask for them to write you back and ask them to answer specific questions you may have about what they think about things. Teach them what it means to be a “pen pal.”
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Have some swatches of sewing material laying around the house? Send your grandkids a care package that includes random supplies they could use for crafting. Some of those items might include scrapbook paper, stickers, popsicle sticks, buttons, hot glue sticks (if they have a glue gun), round plastic container lids they can use for wheels, etc. If you can’t make it to the post office, save those things for when you can see them next and you’ll have a project ready to go for them. If you live nearby, do a porch drop off.
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Write in a notebook or small journal about what you have experienced since this COVID-19 pandemic started. Commit to a daily journal entry so you have a collection of 30+ days or more to share with them when this is all over. Share things about what was said in the news. Clip articles from the newspaper to put in the journal, if you get the paper delivered.
We hope this list is helpful! You can also check out our live video from this week’s social live where Sarah breaks down some great ideas and how to continue to be a leader in your family during this time. You make such a difference in the lives of your kids and grandkids! Finding creative ways to stay connected will help all 3 generations! Most importantly, we hope you stay well and nurture the bonds of family. Families of Character exists to help parents develop their kids in character. As a grandparent, you too can be an integral part of character development through your influence.
With hope from our team,
Steve, Sarah, Jordan, and Janet
Check out this week’s live video here!
