Wednesday, March 28, 2012
So far, Yet so close
When my son, Greg decided to move with his wife to Charlotte N.C. I was distraught. Having him live 900 miles away from us was life-changing for our family. How were we to have Sunday dinner together or celebrate holidays? How dare he!
Well they moved anyway, despite my protestations. And don't tell him I said so, but it really was a good thing! They needed to go where the opportunities were, where nice homes to buy were affordable, and where the climate was great! So off they went to greener pastures. There, they created their own way, their own roots. They began a family. UGH! Now what?
How was I to deal with my little grandchildren being away from me? How was I going to babysit, or give unwanted child care advice? I wanted to buy them toys, clothes and give them goodies their parents wouldn't! How on Earth was I going to spoil them?
Brayden John was the first to arrive on August 3, 2006. We waited a good amount of time before hopping on a flight to Charlotte. He was 9 days old when we first cuddled and kissed him. We were smitten from the first moment. I must have taken 200 pictures of him in 3 days (not kidding). The tough part was leaving to come home. I cried and cried and cried. When we arrived in Boston, Greg called and put Brayden on the phone (of course he was screaming), but what a welcome relief. It was really from that moment on I knew I would stay connected to my N.C. family.
Over the next few years there were daily phone calls (thank God for good cell-phone plans). I could still shop and buy toys and clothes and goodies. I just had to mail them. For every occasion and holiday, they could expect a goodie box from Grammy and Grandpa.
I also made a commitment to make as many trips to Charlotte as possible. Jetblue has direct and usually reasonably priced flights. My N.C. family also makes one or two trips here as well.
Anabelle arrived into this world on September 18, 2010. Another miracle! I now could buy girly clothes! We visited a few weeks after she was born. What is it about grandchildren? Wow, what love. It is so powerful, just thinking about it makes me teary.
With the advent of technology, such as cell-phones, email, sharing pictures and videos, and of course video chatting! (we use Skype), we do not miss much! Right after Anabelle was born, we video chatted and were able to see Anabelle, hours old. Brayden was there too, but he was more interested in crawling under the hospital bed. It really was quite amusing.
So we are making it work and love every minute of being doting grandparents. I would love to know how others deal with distance grand parenting. Is it working for you? What is or what isn't?
Well they moved anyway, despite my protestations. And don't tell him I said so, but it really was a good thing! They needed to go where the opportunities were, where nice homes to buy were affordable, and where the climate was great! So off they went to greener pastures. There, they created their own way, their own roots. They began a family. UGH! Now what?
How was I to deal with my little grandchildren being away from me? How was I going to babysit, or give unwanted child care advice? I wanted to buy them toys, clothes and give them goodies their parents wouldn't! How on Earth was I going to spoil them?
Brayden John was the first to arrive on August 3, 2006. We waited a good amount of time before hopping on a flight to Charlotte. He was 9 days old when we first cuddled and kissed him. We were smitten from the first moment. I must have taken 200 pictures of him in 3 days (not kidding). The tough part was leaving to come home. I cried and cried and cried. When we arrived in Boston, Greg called and put Brayden on the phone (of course he was screaming), but what a welcome relief. It was really from that moment on I knew I would stay connected to my N.C. family.
Over the next few years there were daily phone calls (thank God for good cell-phone plans). I could still shop and buy toys and clothes and goodies. I just had to mail them. For every occasion and holiday, they could expect a goodie box from Grammy and Grandpa.
I also made a commitment to make as many trips to Charlotte as possible. Jetblue has direct and usually reasonably priced flights. My N.C. family also makes one or two trips here as well.
Anabelle arrived into this world on September 18, 2010. Another miracle! I now could buy girly clothes! We visited a few weeks after she was born. What is it about grandchildren? Wow, what love. It is so powerful, just thinking about it makes me teary.
With the advent of technology, such as cell-phones, email, sharing pictures and videos, and of course video chatting! (we use Skype), we do not miss much! Right after Anabelle was born, we video chatted and were able to see Anabelle, hours old. Brayden was there too, but he was more interested in crawling under the hospital bed. It really was quite amusing.
So we are making it work and love every minute of being doting grandparents. I would love to know how others deal with distance grand parenting. Is it working for you? What is or what isn't?
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