Connecting with Grandparents

There are many cool ways to connect with grandparents

By Donna Erickson

Thumbing through my old journals, I ran across a quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead: "Grandparents need grandchildren to keep the changing world alive for them, and grandchildren need grandparents to help them know who they are and to give them a sense of human experience in a (past) world they cannot know."

I probably jotted it down because I valued so much the relationship I had with my own grandparents as I grew up. With relatives far-flung these days, kids and their grandparents have to be intentional about connecting, or a meaningful relationship simply won't happen.

As families busily get back to school, the thought of Grandparents Day might not be top-of-mind. However, the first Sunday after Labor Day was created especially to appreciate the millions of grandparents who love our kids.

Here are some cool ways in which different generations can build relationships, make memories and put smiles on each other's faces.

PORTRAIT GIFT

Priceless art from a grandchild can grace a grandparent's home forever. On a sheet of art paper, your school-age child can draw a portrait of a grandparent. Use crayons, markers or paint, then sign and date the art at the bottom of the portrait with a pen. When dry, put it in a poster frame from a discount store and send.

For whimsical and colorful artwork your preschoolers create: Scan the paintings into their grandparents' computer for a unique and happy-looking screen saver.

PICK UP THE PHONE

Set up a weekly telephone call with your kids' grandparents. Text messages on a cell phone during the in-between times are also a quick way to pass along tidbits of information, such as a football score, sighting an eagle or losing a front tooth.

GRANDPARENTS IN SPECIAL-CARE FACILITIES

Assemble items to put into a gift basket and deliver it with a song, a smile and a hug. Items might include silk flowers in a small pot your child has painted, unscented lotions, stuffed animals and a snack that follows their diet guidelines. Cookies, coffeecake or fudge prepared from a family recipe is a special treat and brings back happy memories.

Write Donna with your questions and ideas at www.donnasday.com. Donna's latest book, "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families," is available in bookstores nationwide.