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Do you chat to your grandchildren on the internet?

(22 Posts)
smills Fri 06-Jan-12 16:35:56

Is it intrusive to have your grandchildren on facebook...? Or is it a good way to bond and see what they are up to!

Carol Fri 06-Jan-12 16:40:11

Good to respect their space and keep your distance. I occasionaly message my grandson on Facebook to compliment him about something, or just to let him know I'm thinking about him, but don't do it on his wall as he would not look cool to his friends!

nanachrissy Fri 06-Jan-12 16:42:37

My eldest gd is on fb although she is only 12. I don't tend to post much on her page but I message her. I think she pms her friends when they want to gossip.
It's nice to see her photos, and if anyone gets a bit naughty (the boys) I tell her mum and she doesn't mention that it's me who was the spy!

Greatnan Fri 06-Jan-12 20:26:17

No, I am 'friends' with several of them, but I send them pm's. My daughter told me, very tactfully, that her daughter's friends found it inhibiting when I used to join in their banter.
Would you have your liked your mother or grandmother to listen in on your conversations with your friends? It is exactly the same.

Pennysue Fri 06-Jan-12 22:42:05

Greatnan That is what I do, except when I want to embarrass my Grandson (who does not mind really). Would not do it GD's as they would not be "amused"

glammanana Fri 06-Jan-12 23:46:29

I just keep it to e-mail and if I am lucky enough to get a reply I count my lucky stars.

Carol Sat 07-Jan-12 11:55:14

Glammanana that's what happens with me and my grandson of 11. I know he reads my emails and has a laugh, then he moves on and rarely replies. He gives me a puzzled look when I say he is welcome to email me back! Apparently, he regards all messages from adults as uncool and only there to remind him about good behaviour. Love him to bits! x

marti Sat 14-Jan-12 03:44:19

I am FB friends with grown up grandchildren - since i first discovered FB some years ago. I think they "friended" me before they used it a lot themselves. Now it is probably difficult to "unfriend"me. I have to say I shudder at some of their posts, but never, never comment. I think there is some tool they can use to see who looks at their posts, but I don't know it? but i just stay in the background and only very occasionally comment on their wall - e.g birthday greetings. I have messaged them sometimes about something like a invitation. I hate when one of them or their friends comment in a racist or homophobic way, but resolve not to get into it on FB

GrannyTunnocks Sat 14-Jan-12 18:27:10

My grandchildren are not on FB but most of my nieces and nephews are. It is good to hear what they are doing but I only comment if it seems appropriate. As we have a large family it is good to hear how they are all getting on.

karinu Thu 08-Mar-12 21:06:01

not an enthusiastic fb'er myself, and I'm glad to say my soon 10-year-old
granddaughter is not on it!
But we sometimes email, and skype is a must because they live in Oz!

I agree that we're probably not cool enough for more than the odd comment!

Humbertbear Fri 13-Apr-12 18:12:18

My grand daughter is too young for Facebook but we do email and we speak using FaceTime. Youngsters seem to forget who they have befriended on FB. My nephew and great- nephew post things I am sure they wouldn't want me to see and my best friend's ex D in Law has forgotten to block. We enjoy her posts!

specki4eyes Fri 13-Apr-12 22:06:50

Sorry all you FB fans but I loathe Facebook. Most of the stuff I've seen, on the couple of occasions I've been persuaded to join, is such puerile rubbish - just a meaningless waste of time. In my opinion its akin to watching Big Brother, another pastime that makes watching paint dry preferable.
I love Skype though and see my grandchildren most weeks on it. My sons and I natter and gossip and the little ones come in and go out and back in again..its great and its private to us. I also occasionally share a coffee break with my girlfriends in England. Thats lovely too.
One of my neighbours was aghast when his friend rang him one Sunday morning and said,'do you know what time your daughter got in this morning?' My neighbour (not on FB) said, 'no, and I don't want to know thankyou very much, she's 35!' shock

topsmarty Fri 25-May-12 19:27:42

I am new to this lark - not sure yet what goes on. But I know that my grandson is getting married next year. Thats for a starter. How did I do?

greenmossgiel Fri 25-May-12 19:31:54

Hello and welcome topsmarty! Have a wee look down all the threads, and see what you think. I'm sure you'll find something you'll want to comment on! We're a mixed bunch of grandmas and granddads, who have all sorts of opinions and ideas about things. We can be a bit fiery at times and can also be very comforting and consoling ......look forward to reading your posts! smile

Gally Fri 25-May-12 19:54:58

I skype my 2 year old grandaughter most days and we have wonderful conversations. I'd talk to the others in Oz but they are always so naughty - I occasionally see the 5 year old's backside blush and the odd tongue sticking out and hear Mum screaming at them. I also talk to the other 2 year old who is always delighted to see me but asks where Grandad is (his face pops up on the screen as I don't want to change it yet sad). I go onto FB in order to see photos of the family and comment - it's fun and I have quite a few young 'friends' all of whom have requested me to be theirs - so no problem smile

pompa Fri 25-May-12 20:50:27

Our Grandson is too young for FB, but we do speak to him on Skype most evenings. We do follow our Son & Daughter on Facebook, it's the only way to keep up with their news.

Ariadne Fri 25-May-12 21:52:04

Hello, topsmarty Hope you enjoy it here!

Maniac Sat 26-May-12 10:59:17

chat to my grandson on the internet -I wish!
My ex DIL has blocked ALL communications to him

whenim64 Sat 26-May-12 11:36:58

Just learning to Skype on my iPad this morning but struggling. Daughter can see me but I can't see her. Managed to make baby cry when she was shown my grinning face so that's made SIL's day - he will delight in telling everyone I frighten his babies now! Must keep practising, though - this could save me a fortune in petrol! [grin]

soop Sat 26-May-12 12:38:34

Have just watched our first short video of lovely DiL and wee grandson. He blew a kiss, and brought a tear to my eye. smile

whenim64 Sat 26-May-12 13:05:30

Aaaah soop how lovely!

My daughter does little one minute videos of my baby grandaughters and puts them on my Facebook page for me, so as soon as they do something like learning to touch their toes or blow raspberries, I get to see them in no time at all. Isn't technology helpful when it's used for things like this? smile

soop Sat 26-May-12 13:38:25

when True! technology is helpful...it's the business of getting to grips with it, that can drive me stark-staring, raving-potty. It took us a good hour to fathom a way of watching the video. Of course, having finally mastered the programme that we needed to install on the computer, we feel all self-satisfied. wink