Grandmas and grandpas...opportunity knocks! Ideas during COVID

Posted by Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor @artscaping, Mar 21, 2020

They say you have never loved so unconditionally as when that first grandchild arrives. Your capacity for forgiveness increases, you let go of your critical and judgmental side and you laugh joyously and frequently.

And now???? Now you have an opportunity to spend more quality time with your "grands" as they are called. You may have to learn how to be part of a group going live on Instagram. I barged in on my granddaughter and her friends one day when I figured it out. Oops...not the right time. She just looked at the screen and when someone asked, "What's the matter?" her mouth dropped, and she just said, "It's my grandmother." Everyone immediately disappeared. Ha ha ha ha.......!

So while we are isolated let's take advantage of an opportunity to spend more time playing with, talking with, singing with, messaging, facetiming. Let's use the technology that's available to us. Set up a schedule, or a show and tell, or a teaching session. Let's present some options for every age.

Take some photos to share and don't forget to look at the post downstream about killing two birds with one stone. I am using just initials and no names. That is your choice. Please do not use identifying names, phone numbers, emails, or locations.

Ready.....set......go gramps.......this was the first time he got to take a walk in the forest with his new grandson. Biggest smile I have ever seen on that loving face,

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Ellen | @helenfrances | May 9, 2020

I am going to gather, print pictures of my grandchildren and make an album for each.
I used to take care of them when they lived on the East Coast.
Thank you for this great idea! It is much better than having a pity party 🎉

lioness | @lioness | May 9, 2020

In reply to @helenfrances "I am going to gather, print pictures of my grandchildren and make an album for each...." + (show)

@helenfrancis . Ellen I moved from Pa to Ca to help take care of my grandson as both parents had a full time job her parent s also took care of him so it just hard since they grow up and dont need you anymore or as much as they use to . I just remember the fun we had , going to the aquarium , Knotts berry farm the soak city he loves water . Good memories I think I have 2 albums wait till you get all the pictures together .

lioness | @lioness | May 18, 2020

@artscaping Both Jay's so cute . That's why both my Howard's one was named Howie my son .

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 18, 2020

In reply to @helenfrances "I am going to gather, print pictures of my grandchildren and make an album for each...." + (show)

@helenfrances I love the term “pity party” and I need to stop having one right now! I really miss my grandchildren, but reality says I won’t see them for some time. They are 6 and 3. I’m working on a portrait quilt of the 6year old now. Helps me feel better! ( all the lines, shading are for my quilt)

mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | May 18, 2020

In reply to @becsbuddy "@helenfrances I love the term “pity party” and I need to stop having one right now!..." + (show)

@becsbuddy.. what cute kids! I miss my only grandson. He's going to be two in July, he sometimes participate in our video chat, he knows his numbers and alphabets and quite a character. I'm missing alot. I hope to see him soon. I wish i could quilt but whatever I do, I have to get approval from my daughter in law first. I saved my son's beautiful comforter that he had when he was a baby, but she said it doesn't match with the decor of the baby's room. There was another blanket of his that was hand knitted by a friend and she didn't want that either. I guess this generation is different.

lioness | @lioness | May 18, 2020

@becsbuddy I was fortunate this Sunday my niece had a zoom party to celebrate her babies 3rd birthday and my grandson was there on zoom so did get to see a fleeting minute of him being 12 now . It was nice to see him but I do miss those baby years with him

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | May 21, 2020

@helenfrances and @becsbuddy Yep! I know a thing or two about how to throw a Royal Pity Party! Becky, What adorable grands! And a quilt? Creative you!

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | May 21, 2020

Saw an article about veggie scrap gardening and started one with celery, spring & vidalia onions and carrots. Celery is 3" tall; new green shoots on onions...then found these links to share with my grands and others: https://thegardeningcook.com/growing-onion-bottoms/
https://thegardeningcook.com/re-growing-carrot-greens-scraps/
https://thegardeningcook.com/cut-and-come-again-vegetables/
https://www.wikihow.com/Grow-Celery-from-a-Stalk

Granted I'm easily entertained but really having fun with my newest hobby! Any other takers besides my two grands?????

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 21, 2020

In reply to @fiesty76 "Saw an article about veggie scrap gardening and started one with celery, spring & vidalia onions..." + (show)

@fiesty76, these are great ideas to share with grandkids. I moved your message to this discussion where grandparents are sharing ideas to stay connected with grandkids during COVID physical distancing. I bet @sueinmn will appreciate these links.

Do you plan to each grow your celery and onions and compare with pictures or video calls?

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | May 22, 2020

@contentandwell, Oh, Colleen, Trouble Gal is Back!!! Obviously I still need more coaching! Went to home page and found a bazillion "groups" and blue highlighted message threads but nothing on Grandmas and Grandpas???/ Also not sure why this didn't show up in Covid thread or Gardening? So little time; so much to learn...sigh A childless friend got excited so I thought more others here might find it entertaining...what is an olde gal to do??? Hugs