How to not "lose" them.

I'm wondering if any grandmas out there still have great relationships with their grandkids, even into the adolescent and teen years.

Realizing that DH's little granddaughters are only 3 and 1, I got to thinking that I'd like to be the Nunna who maintains steady and open communication w/them even as they grow up. Who knows if DH predeceases me, they still may want to communicate with me. It's a lonely life w/out your own so I just was thinking!

Any ideas and thoughts?

That's a good question Di. I think many grandparents drift way into the background as their grandchildren grow older.

I have to admit, I was no exception in my teenage years. But my grandmothers didn't give up on me. They continued to call, send me cards, presents for my birthday and Christmas. I remember one birthday, where my grandmother was the only one who sent me something, and it arrived on time. I will never forget that.

Later, as an adult, my grandmothers were more important to me. I had a very close relationship to both of them, and loved them dearly.

So, it is up to you to keep that fire going. Even if they should seem uninterested, that too will pass.

Di
my mentor in education was a second wife.Her husbands daughter WAS her "bonus" and after marriage a son in law then two grandchildren became her darlings.She talked easily about them and obvious to all they loved each other.loving the common tie is a bond and there as the songs says "Aspects of love"
Children are the future and our link with it.we treasure friendships so your ties with these family memembers is a golden gift.
My children are unmarried and ther are no little ones but I have a circle of wee people...things is they grow so quickly they become real friends...just younger.
One 15 year is to emigrate but may return to train in medicine and I'll be here..the bond is woven .
My friends Grandchildren let me hear the day to day things...sunday school children grow up before my eyes.
My husband and I speak about all these children often and his words are always.."children are so special"
Just as I have had my senior friends I see the children as part of my circle...
a teacher collegue works in our village school and was asked to spell my Christian name for a diary by my 7 year old friend Josh..he wrote about me as a friend just the same as he would a classmate..she herself adopted her two daughters and again I say
"Aspects of love."
Love,
Love changes everything:
Hands and faces,
Earth and sky,
Love,
Love changes everything:
How you live and
How you die

EW and MA, what great replies. It's totally up to us to keep the love alive as the kids age. We have to understand how full their lives are and be happy for them when they are too busy for us. Sounds crazy, but it's true. Then they get older and come back around.

When my kids were teens, my MIL took the lack of attention too seriously and it made the kids feel awkward because they felt like they were constantly letting her down. Sad, but true. As adults, we need to suck it up and keep loving the heck out of them. They need it.

I appreciate all the great input, ladies!

The hard thing is they live so far....five hours away. DH still says "I wish they lived closer". But we try to talk to Grace.....who is nearly 3. Ella just turned 1.

We want them to YEARN to come to Grandpa and Nunna's farm and see all the animals. Our desire is for them to know that there is more to life than blacktop, shoes and shopping malls. There's bugs, tumbleweed, sticker bushes, compost, manure, mesquite trees, dogs that are obsessed with throwing the ball over and over and over and over again!

Children compartmentalise..so will yearn...and forget.So keeping all the lovely things you share with them high on their threshold is important.
webcam perhaps..pictures certainly.Later whole summers..and soap..the way to a girls heart .
Set traditions now early.Have them back soon.

Ok, so in summary....continue communications, make some "fun" during and between visits, show interest in their interests and LOVE!

Got it!

Your home/farm sounds like a little piece of heaven to me Di....