Hello, Reader!

I just ended a visit with my grandchildren on such a high note that I had to share it with you. It wasn’t because of the time we spent together—though it was one of our best visits yet for quality time. It was actually something that happened after I left.

I got the idea several years ago from Kerry Byrne of The Long Distance Grandparent. It’s something I mean to do with every visit, but I rarely find the time to make it happen. But this visit, Pops and I had a few hours before our flight home, and the kids were all in school. So I got a piece of green construction paper out of their craft cupboard, cut it into three pieces, and wrote each of them a note.

Each note was short—just a reminder of something we had done together, a question to show I was curious about their world, or an affirmation that I loved and missed them already. I folded each one into a funny little triangle, slipped a peppermint inside (with mom’s permission), and left them on the kitchen table where I knew they’d see them when they had their after-school snack.

This probably took me 10 minutes. When they got home from school, they got a little reminder of how much I valued our time together. And I got a flurry of text messages from my daughter-in-law, as the kids told her to respond to my notes with messages of their own. They loved their surprises.

Was this more meaningful than the rounds of cards, made-up games, or stories we read together? No, but it was a physical, tangible way to connect with them when I couldn’t be there. It eased the end of the visit, helping move from disappointment to delight. I encourage you to try this the next time you visit your grandchildren!

Remember, too, that the moments in between visits can be just as important for building your relationship as the time you spend together. Children adore getting a note—even three sentences on a piece of construction paper thrills them! If you haven’t bought Grandparent Love Letters yet, that’s an easy way to send a monthly letter. Besides twelve fun templates, you’ll get tips and prompts for writing letters that kids love to get.

When your grandkids know you are thinking of them when you are apart, it makes them feel special in a way that a video chat just can’t. And that will make your visits even more rewarding.

Warm regards,
DeeDee

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DeeDee Moore | Founder, More Than Grand LLC | morethangrand.com