From FaceTime to Real Time: Grandparenting in a Digital World
Grandparenting from afar isn’t for the faint of heart—we are trying to juggle our across-the-state family bonds with visits and FaceTime magic. This past weekend we made the six hour trek from the Bay Area back down to SoCal for our granddaughter’s 2nd birthday (yes, 2nd trip in three weeks!). Balancing our work schedules with visits to see the kids takes a lot of energy–it’s great motivation for staying in healthy shape. Thank heavens for FaceTime and being in the same time zone!
Now, I go by Savta (Hebrew for Grandma-סָבְתָא), and my husband proudly holds the title of Grandpa. “L” is still working on pronouncing Savta—she started with “wa-ah,” then graduated to “Fah-tah.” During our FaceTime sessions, she loves to chant, “Hi Fah-tah” like she’s in her own tiny pep rally. Grandpa doesn’t quite get the same cheerleading treatment, but that’s alright– It’s a familiar pattern. Her cousins were still a little scared of Grandpa at that age.
This weekend, though, we got to trade in that digital facetime for the real deal. Friday night, we met them for dinner, and let me tell you, there’s nothing like that moment when your grandchild spots you and bolts into your arms. It’s this tidal wave of adrenaline, oxytocin, and dopamine—it’s like the grandmother’s cocktail of euphoria! While L is still a bit shy around Grandpa, she’s turning into quite the little conversationalist. I heard a full 9-word sentence come out of her mouth!
For her animal-themed birthday party, I couldn’t resist getting a pair of leopard-print jeans, and it turns out we were twinning!
Throughout the weekend, it was those little moments that really made it memorable–like when my daughter showed up and “L ” sprinted to her aunt like she was Beyoncé stepping off a tour bus.
The highlight came later that afternoon at the house, when we were getting ready to say goodbye.
Over the past few weeks on FaceTime, I’ve been playfully mouthing “I love you” to “L”, trying to see if she could read my lips. Of course she caught on quickly and started to mouth “I love you” back to me, and then out loud. But then, out of nowhere, she turned to my husband, looked up at him with those big eyes, and said, “I love you, Grandpa.” That, my friends, was the icing on this birthday cupcake.
I’d love to hear about your favorite strategies for long-distance grand-parenting!
Wonderful information, Dvora! As a grandma living 1 1/2 hours from our son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons, it’s wonderful to get on Facetime and see their beautiful faces when we can’t be there in person. I also have a daughter Singapore and of course, seeing her in person is not as often as I’d like, I’m always thrilled to get on Facetime to catch up with her.