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Grandmas and grandpas...opportunity knocks! Ideas during COVID
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,
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Good morning @fiesty76, Welcome to the grandparent's page. Let's start with a difficult group....grandson, grandpa, & Dad. In this picture, the three "men" of this part of the family, are hanging out at the picnic table down at the river. I often wonder how they get the grandson to participate. What topic would invigorate all three of them? I also like to watch their expressions and body language. Perhaps they are well bonded now and are sharing their big success........potty training. Wonder just how they demonstrated that behavior? Any ideas?
May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris
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2 Reactions@feisty76, @colleenyoung, And good afternoon from chapter two of entertaining and supporting the grandkids development. In this photo, also part of the chipmunk saga, we see the gender roles being acted out with harmony. He, at three and she, at eleven, come together on the front porch to feed Javier, our best-trained chipmunk.
Notice that she leans in to see his sample peanut.....after all she is the chipmunk expert. He is showing her the peanut he has selected for Javier. She approves and he will now hold it out and call Javier. Sorry I didn't video that transaction. Just imagine.....at this age, these young ones can teach us so much about collaborating that comes naturally and shows human respect.
May you be content and at ease.
Chris
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3 Reactions@artscaping I love the way you have with words and you salutation at the end of conversation . The pictures are adorable and wonder what kids think and animals what goes through there minds My dog would get the funniest look on his face when Id talk to him
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1 Reaction@artscaping, Chris, thank you for the welcome and the thought provoking, adorable pics of both the 3 generations actively engaged in their topic and also of the older "chipmunk expert" sibling's attention to her younger brother. Our 2 younger grand boys are 5 yrs apart and it has been the most inspirational experience to watch the older bro's love and "guidance' of the younger. The setting for this photo is a ready made meditation in itself. Is this your's and Jay's front porch? Thank you for this site and for the lovely posts you share.
Another generous photo "pro", @johnbishop had shared the addr. for this gramps group and I accessed it by using the Yahoo search.
I couldn't find it though when in the support pages. Now that I've checked "following", I hope to be able to follow but can you share how I could have gotten to the gramps site without going to the Yahoo search address?
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1 Reaction@fiesty, Here are a couple of ways to locate this discussion if you are not following it.
1. Scroll to the top of the discussion and on the top of the page you will see the name of the group followed by the name of the discussion (computerese - these are called "bread crumbs").
Groups > COVID-19 > Grandmas and grandpas...opportunity knocks! Ideas during COVID
2. If you know the name of the discussion or just a part of the name you can use the search function to find the discussion. We have a great discussion on using the search here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/search-it-can-help-you/
Hope all my cyber friends are enjoying the Memorial Day Weekend whether hunkered down or outside in nature's beauty. Also hope everyone know why this is such a special day/weekend - https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history
I hope to have some fun pics to share next week - color me excited! My grandson is turning 4, loves vehicles of all kinds, misses his friends and most of all his "Ventures" (adventures) so his Mom & Aunt have arranged a birthday parade with friends, family, fire, police, motorcycles, classic cars, construction vehicles... Doesn't hurt that they have long & deep ties in the community and seem to know everyone!
Daddy is constructing a "safe hug wall" for the nearest & dearest afterward, where we will give out cupcakes & sing Happy Birthday. I can't wait to feel those little arms!
Sue
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3 ReactionsGood afternoon, @fiesty76. Wow...I so appreciate your generous comments.....must be why I read your post 4 times. (ha ha) Yes, that is what we call the landscaped retaining wall or Adam's Mound. The other side is also landscaped down to the Mississippi where we have Adam's Landing.
My anecdotal references to demonstrated behaviors are my personal observations and hopefully lead to non-judgemental acceptance.
I am sorry but I don't know about the Yahoo address from @johnbishop. All you have to do is open Connect, Click on Groups, Click on COVID 19, and then on the Grandparents discussion. See you soon.
May you be healthy and whole.
Chris
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1 Reaction@johnbishop and @artscaping, A Big TX thank you to you both for your help in getting a willing but inept struggler into the groove! Both of your responses are now copied into a word doc for easy reference. So thankful for your leadership as mentors...and for your patient willingness to help.
Would like to send out a big salute to all of our veterans and their families today. You are the heroes that "stood in for us and served" so the rest of us could continue to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today. Thank you. We are a strong nation thanks to you and your sacrifices.
On a personal note, happy to report that despite 3 nights of heavy hail, wind and rain, my little dowel supported U.S. flags are still standing in my street side flower beds. We are a strong nation. Hurray for us!
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3 ReactionsYes, here's another heartfelt salute to the vets and their families for their unswerving loyalty and sacrifice. My US/Texas flags are flying today even in spite of the fact that it will probably rain; somehow at this time that seems appropriate, as we are all being metaphorically rained on right now, by circumstances both within and out of our control. May we change the circumstances within our control through wise and diligent effort.
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1 ReactionGood afternoon grandparents, I hope you have a chance this holiday weekend to have a chat, maybe a zoom or facetime with your grandchildren. Even those who cannot yet talk have ways of communicating a lot with smiles and gentle touches. This is Amelia, also known as Millie. I just love, love, love her.
Be happy and content this weekend.
Celebrate our veteran caretakers for supporting our country. We appreciate their dedication.
Chris
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