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How are you staying in touch with family?

(39 Posts)

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LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 02-Feb-21 10:56:25

We've been asked to speak to BBC Scotland this morning about how grandparents are managing and wanted to ask you how you are keeping up communication with your children and grandchildren? Do you find certain age children are more difficult to engage with online than others? Any clever tips on engaging with them?

Newatthis Wed 03-Feb-21 12:32:04

I, like many and because of distance, can only contact my children/grandchildren through What's App/Facetime. Because of COVID I haven't seen my daughter for 13 months, having met my new granddaughter who is now 9 months and don't know when I will.

Lyndylou Wed 03-Feb-21 14:42:30

I have purchased 2 Amazon Echo Show for my place and my son's. That way I can watch my new GS (4 months) on his play mat and chat to his mum. Expensive but for me it's worth it, because it is much easier than the phone and it is introducing me to his life as I will be minding him when his mum goes back to work.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 04-Feb-21 09:50:03

Such brilliant ideas! Thank you so much everyone. The interview's been moved to this morning 10:30 on BBC radio Scotland in case anyone wants to catch it. They'll be interviewing the grandparents behind this brilliant idea - I did think of you @witzend and your lovely creations. smile

Nicegranny Fri 05-Feb-21 15:48:39

FaceTime is my favourite way of seeing and speaking to my grown up children , grandchildren and friends. It can be such fun. Also family quizzes and dinner parties are hilarious on zoom.

NotSpaghetti Fri 05-Feb-21 16:05:44

Dinosaurus online

NotSpaghetti Fri 05-Feb-21 16:06:11

Oops too late. Sorry

Humbertbear Sat 06-Feb-21 09:21:13

We have a FaceTime call with my son, DiL and their children every Friday evening. Sometimes we end up talking to their sofa. Their son rarely appears but the two girls always make an appearance. The 9 year old used to sit there for the whole call but now is there at the beginning and then says ‘can i go back to my game’ after 10 minutes. She does WhatsAp me though as we both paint. The reason it is on a Friday is so that we can celebrate the start of Shabbat together .

Flaxseed Sat 06-Feb-21 09:53:26

I’m lucky enough to be able to see my grandson when I walk with my DD2 as they live local. He’s only 3 so doesn’t understand why he can’t come to my house, or have cuddles sad
I am really missing the rest of the family and it’s been awful not being able to see my Mum especially as we sadly lost my Dad towards the end of last lockdown sad
I drop shopping off but it’s not the same.
BUT, WhatsApp, Facetime and Zoom have been our lifeline. Thank goodness for modern technology! grin

GagaJo Sat 06-Feb-21 09:58:29

Having a particularly bad day, today. DD and I are OK chatting on zoom but DGS isn't as interested. I waited so long for a GC and find it hard to cope being so far away from them (at times, sometimes I am able to distract myself).

Chewbacca Sat 06-Feb-21 11:01:43

My DS and his family live just a 5 minute walk away and as I'm in their bubble, I'm lucky enough to see them most days. But during the lockdown #1, and before bubbles were formed, it was Watsapp video calls or they would all come up and play in my garden each weekend whilst I watched from the upstairs window.

Aldom Sat 06-Feb-21 13:46:00

I keep in touch mainly with WhatsApp. A great means of communication. Lots of photographs exchanged on a regular basis. Also have catch up chats from time to time. I'm 20 miles from my family bubble but they are NHS and in contact with Covid patients, so I no longer meet up with them. Thankfully Covid numbers are going down and spring is on the way. There's hope now.

Callistemon Sat 06-Feb-21 15:40:50

I loved the knitted grandparents in the link. As I've taught myself to crochet I made the DGC blankets and the youngest said "when I miss you I can cuddle my blanket and think of you, Granny".
DGD set up the WhatsApp group and we have Zoomed a few of times too.

Rubred1515 Sun 07-Feb-21 18:38:12

Hi my grandson lives
local but I don’t see him when I facetime the tv is on the background he’s only two years old so with dugey on I can’t win . I tried suggesting it to his parents downloading an app on iPad with books and games on it they said I said I’d pay for every thing on it. It’s so heart breaking I miss him so much .