ConnectedApart. Launching in 6 Days. 12 July 2018. Stay tuned. Stay connected.
Are you a grandparent living far away from the grandchildren you love? Wish you could spend more time with them – and deepen those precious connections? Then today’s the day!
Its time to challenge Letterman’s achievements and start your very own ‘Grandmom/dad TV Show’. All you need is an internet enabled device (for example, a home computer or, even better, an iPad – visit Amazon to purchase this device) and a hankering for some fun and laughter. Just follow the six simple steps listed below, and you’ll be at the top of the ‘grandchildren-you-love-charts’ in no time!
- Crank up your internet enabled device. An iPad is ideal, given its portability (and ease to clean – see hint four below);
- Schedule a time to connect, perhaps every Saturday morning (this might elevate you – in record time – to the top of the ‘caregiver charts’ as well, given the extra time that your call will provide the caregiver/s to read the paper – or even (its almost an unimaginable luxury) sleep in!);
- Set the length of your ‘TV Show’ (for example 15 to 30 minutes) and set expectations of the children you love – even Letterman’s show has to end – at least for the week;
- Pick some fun activities from ConnectedApart – or simply let your imagination be your guide – and act out the part;
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- For example, for younger children, you could jam-pack the show with a book, a puppet show (role playing your own experience apart – or a crazy story of fun and frivolity), some dancing and even some yoga (check out cosmickids.com or cosmickids on YouTube for inspiration).
- For the older children, you could start with a ‘show’ about where you are, read a chapter of a shared novel and finish with a cooking lesson – hence the reason iPads are better than home computers for ‘Grandparent TV’! They’re easier to move around and – even if you do have super human strength and were able to lug your computer into the kitchen – they’re much easier to clean pancake mixture off…
- For both young and old, you could hold a surprise guest interview, for example your partner, another member of the extended family, or even yourself! Ask your guest some questions about their life and their interests, and let the kids you love ask their own questions. It’s a fun way for the kids you love to get to know you, and the broader family.
- Sign off with a big “See you next week/time! Same time. Same place!”.
- Kick back, relax, remember the smiles and the laughter of the grandchildren you love, and enjoy your well-deserved stardom.
For more free ideas on staying connected with the grandchildren you love when you’re living far away, bookmark ConnectedApart and join the ConnectedApart community on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter. You can also sign up for ConnectedApart’s free idea-letter, delivered once-weekly, directly to your inbox. And of course, ConnectedApart is a two-way street: the ConnectedApart community would love to hear about what’s worked for you, in staying connected with the grandchildren you love when apart.
ConnectedApart. Launching in 6 Days. 12 July 2018. Stay tuned. Stay connected.
Website: connectedapart.com (bookmark it now: live on 12 July 2018)
Contact: contact@connectedapart.com
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