Prepare to Reunite with Your Grandkids when Borders Open
Families in Australia and around the globe are eagerly preparing for reunions as global border restrictions start to relax. This will be a long-awaited chance for many to see their grandchildren after months or years of separation. These reunions are a great opportunity for grandparents to see their grandchildren grow up. It’s normal to be unsure about how to reconnect with your grandchildren after a long separation, even though you are excited by these reunions. You may feel a mixture of emotions, including excitement and nervousness, as you attempt to rebuild meaningful relationships following a long separation.
During the pandemic, and the lockdown period, it is likely that grandchildren have changed significantly. Some may have acquired new skills, interests, and routines. Others may have reached milestones such as learning to walk or talk. This can be a difficult adjustment for grandparents, particularly when they are trying to bridge the difference between the child that you remember and the one who has grown up. You may have kept in touch with older grandchildren via digital platforms. This allowed you to maintain a connection. However, younger children were harder to reach and it was more difficult to keep up to date with their development.
Many grandparents may feel an extra emotional charge when they meet their new grandchildren for the first. This can be a transformative experience that brings joy, but also uncertainty. You’re trying to bond with the baby you have only seen through pictures or video calls.
We have spent a lot of time as researchers studying the role of grandparents in families. We believe that there are many ways for grandparents to prepare and make the most out of these reunions. These tips will guide you to reconnect with your grandchildren and ensure a meaningful experience for everyone.
The Grandparents’ Special Role
Children have always had a special affection for grandparents. Due to the longer life expectancy of grandparents, they can play a more active role in their grandchildren’s daily lives. This longer lifespan allows grandparents to spend more time nurturing and guiding the next generation.
The grandparent-grandchild relationship is unique and often becomes a very meaningful part of a child’s development. The involvement of grandparents has been shown to have a positive effect on the psychological and emotional well-being of a child. For instance, studies have linked strong grandparent-grandchild relationships with increased self-esteem, a greater sense of security, and improved psychological adjustment, particularly in times of stress or transition.
Being actively involved in the lives of their grandchildren has been proven to increase happiness, improve mental health and even lengthen life expectancy for grandparents. It is not just the child who benefits from having grandparents in their lives, but also parents as they can rely on them for guidance and help. It also increases the well-being of everyone in the family.
Remember that reunions may not be what you expected. To reconnect with your grandchildren, you need patience, flexibility, and understanding. Remember that the reunion will be an opportunity to strengthen the relationship, not to rush to catch up.
It is important to ask questions
Speak to the parents of your grandchildren before you go. Your grandchildren’s parents have experienced the changes first-hand, so they are likely to have a better understanding of the current needs, wants, and dislikes of your grandson. Asking them about your grandson’s interests, their routine, and any sensitivities or special needs will help you to make your time together enjoyable.
You may find out that your grandson has taken up a hobby recently, like playing an instrument or taking part in a sport. You can tailor your time with them to their interests by knowing this ahead of time. This will help you build a stronger connection. By learning your grandchild’s schedule (such as their nap time, mealtimes, and school routines), you can ensure that your visit is seamless.
Ask the parents how long they would like to spend with their grandchild and what type of visit is best for them. Remember that parents are likely to be adjusting to a lot of changes, whether it’s juggling a newborn, changing their routine or other responsibilities. You can offer the best support by being open and honest with your parents. This will help you to avoid overstepping any expectations or boundaries.
It’s also important to recognise that parents may require different levels of help than they originally anticipated. They may need more assistance at times, whether it is child care, emotional support or help with household chores. Other times, they may only require a little. Being flexible and adaptable to your child’s needs can make the reunion a success for all.
Persistent but not Pushy
It is perfectly normal to be excited at the prospect of reconnecting with your grandkids after such a lengthy separation. It’s important to remember that your grandson may not share the same excitement. When they see someone they haven’t spoken to in a while, children, especially the younger ones, may feel nervous or overwhelmed. It’s normal for children to feel this way, but you mustn’t push them too hard.
It’s tempting to welcome your grandchild in with open arms, but you should give them time to connect with you. It may take some time for children to get used to having their grandparents back, especially if they’ve grown up with a different family dynamic.
You can help your grandchild feel more secure and comfortable by taking things slow and letting them approach you only when they are ready. It’s best to stay nearby and engage in a light conversation. Let the child decide how much interaction they want. You might sit down with your child and ask about their favorite things to do, or offer to play along as they play independently.
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t immediately feel a connection. Numerous studies have shown that children prefer to have their grandparents “just around” whenever they need them, as opposed to feeling under pressure to engage in complicated activities or perform well. You can build a relationship with your grandchildren by being present and patient.
Should you bring them gifts or not?
You may have been thinking about bringing gifts to your reunion. As a way to show their love and excitement, many grandparents want to give something special to their grandkids. It’s important to keep in mind that, while gifts can be a nice gesture, they are not always necessary or appropriate for the first reunion.
If the gift is going to overwhelm the child or help them connect with you, it’s important to consider this. Some children are more interested in spending time with their parents than they are in receiving gifts. It’s nice to give a thoughtful gift, such as a favourite treat, a toy or a project that you can both do. But it’s also important to gauge their response.
You could also wait until everyone is settled in and the visit has progressed before giving a gift. It will allow the child to be more relaxed and enjoy spending time with your family, without being distracted by a large gift. The best gift is often your time and your attention. Focus on developing a relationship with your grandson rather than buying him a material present to show your love.
Parallel Play
For younger grandchildren–especially those between the ages of two and five–parallel play is one of the best strategies to help reconnect. Sitting next to your grandson and letting them do their own thing while you engage in an activity similar is what parallel play is all about. This type of play does not require direct interaction, but it allows your grandson to feel comfortable in your presence.
Children are still learning social skills at this age and may not be ready to engage in intense interactive play. Parallel play is a way to let them get to know each other at their own pace. It is possible to color, draw, or build with blocks with your grandson, without expecting him to interact with you directly. This can eventually lead to a more direct relationship as the child grows more confident and secure.
For younger grandchildren–especially those between the ages of two and five–parallel play is one of the best strategies to help reconnect. Parallel play involves you and your grandson playing together while they do something else. Parallel play is a type of interaction that does not require any direct interaction. It allows your grandson to feel more comfortable around you and gradually re-acclimate.
Allow Grandchildren to Lead (Within Reason).
You must let your grandson take the initiative when it comes to choosing activities. Allow your grandson to lead the way in terms of activities, rather than forcing your ideas on them. If you have some ideas in mind, such as reading a certain book or working on a puzzle with your child, keep in mind that their preferences can quickly change. It’s possible that what they liked last time is not the same as now.
A grandparent’s most rewarding experience is to get to know their grandchild from their point of view. A walk in the park or a visit to a favourite place allows the grandchild to show you what’s important to them. Allow them to dictate the structure and pace of your visit. Don’t be surprised when a simple walk or quiet moment with the grandchild is the highlight of the reunion.
Conclusion: Patience and Understanding.
It is an amazing experience to reunite with your grandchildren, especially after a long time apart. This will be remembered for many years. While it’s natural to feel a mixture of emotions–excitement, joy, and perhaps some nerves–remember that the key to a successful reunion is patience, understanding, and open communication. You can build a meaningful relationship with your grandchild by taking the time to understand their current needs, routines and interests.
It’s important to remember that you do not need to rush through the process or makeup lost time during one visit. You can create a lasting relationship with your grandchild by being present and patient. Love will endure despite any distance, and the bond between grandparents and grandchildren will grow stronger with every visit.
Reuniting with your grandchildren after a long separation is a truly amazing experience. Certainly, the joy and excitement you feel when you see them again will create wonderful memories for many years to come. However, with such an emotional reunion comes a mix of feelings–excitement, joy, and perhaps a few nerves. Re-establishing a relationship with a child that you haven’t been in touch with for some time can be both exciting and challenging. It’s important to remember, during these moments, that patience, understanding and open communication are the keys to a successful reunion.
