Grandparents are some of the most special people in a child’s life. They are often a source of fun, joy, and unwavering love. Not only is the bond between grandparents and grandkids so strong and important, but for busy parents, they can also be a huge source of help. Dropping off the kids so that parents can go to work, run errands, etc., is invaluable. Parents have peace of mind knowing their kids are well cared for and are enjoying themselves. So, why not show grandparents some extra love?
Here are seven ways your kids can show love and appreciation for their grandparents any time of the year.
Honour the Special Dates and Occasions
The first tip is to make sure you’re aware of any special dates and occasions throughout the year when kids can honour their grandparents. This could include birthdays, anniversaries and holidays such as Christmas. Perhaps the most important date, though, is Grandparents’ Day. Here in the UK, Grandparents’ Day falls on the first Sunday of October. This is a great chance for grandkids to make a personalised card and get a gift that holds special meaning.
Remember, it’s not about how much you spend on these special dates and occasions; it is the thought behind it. A handmade gift will probably be much more touching than something that was purchased in the store.
Make Time for Visits Year-Round
It’s common for families to get caught up in a busy schedule, and before you know it, weeks or even months have passed since the last visit with the grandparents. Making sure you keep the gaps small between visits is another way kids can show love and appreciation for grandparents. Even if you can only fit small visits in, it’s better than nothing.
Have Kids Teach Grandparents How to Stay In Touch Digitally
Living in the digital age offers several benefits and one big one is how convenient it has made communication. Just because you may not be able to enjoy in-person visits as often as you’d like, doesn’t mean the lines of communication should be closed.
Kids these days tend to be very digitally adept, so why not let the kids teach grandparents how to use tools like video chatting? A video chat can be the next best thing to an in-person visit, and grandkids can strike up an online chat any time.
Send Letters and Postcards in the Mail
And let’s not forget that traditional forms of communication still exist and still hold importance. Kids can write letters and send postcards in the mail to grandparents. Just imagine the smile on the faces of the grandparents as they read what was sent to them.
The letters don’t need to be in-depth; they can even highlight what is happening in school, what they’ve been up to and so forth. Not only will it be a special item for grandparents to receive, but it also helps kids to practice their writing skills.
Take a Mini Break with Grandparents
If you’re planning to take a mini-break soon, why not invite the grandparents along? Holidaying with grandparents will be a memory that neither party forgets, as there is something very special about exploring new sights and attractions together.
How About a Sleepover Party?
Don’t have time or the budget for a mini break with grandparents? A more cost-effective option is to have a sleepover party with them. You can invite grandparents to stay at your house, or the kids may want to go to theirs and enjoy a little independence from mum and dad.
Have Kids Host a Dinner Party for Grandparents
Another great way to show love and appreciation for grandparents is to let the kids host a dinner party for them. The children can even make and send an invitation in the mail, complete with a theme for the dinner. If the kids are old enough, let them do as much of the food preparation and cooking as possible, as this is a nice added touch for grandparents.
To ensure the recipes they cook are within their skillset, try looking online for kid-friendly items. Grandparents won’t mind if the menu isn’t as fancy as a traditional dinner party.
As you can see by these ideas, there are so many different ways kids can show grandparents just how loved and important they are. There’s no need to wait for a special occasion, as you can make the effort year-round.
