When grandchildren grow up

Flippinheck

My g'dtrs will be 16 and 18 this year. They both have their own busy social lives and I see them about once a month, but they are warm and loving still when we do get together. The eldest is off to Leeds university this year, assuming she gets the grades, so we will see less of her then. It’s inevitable but part of growing up. I can’t believe how fast their childhoods have passed.

If you can get up to see her for an afternoon, take her to the supermarket and fill up her cupboard/freezer

AmandaKiwi that's awful for you. I know the advice is to be pleased for the family making a new start, but it must be heart wrenching.

I hope others will be along with advice about keeping in touch long distance. Will you be able to go for visits?

We have 2: GS 5, GD 18 months. Such fun exhausting ages. We've been involved on a daily basis but now the family is moving out of the country (to Canada). They're living with us for the last few weeks before the big departure. My heart breaks every day but I try to gather up memories. I'd love any advice on long-distance relationships with the little ones.

My g'dtrs will be 16 and 18 this year. They both have their own busy social lives and I see them about once a month, but they are warm and loving still when we do get together. The eldest is off to Leeds university this year, assuming she gets the grades, so we will see less of her then. It’s inevitable but part of growing up. I can’t believe how fast their childhoods have passed.

We have had a very close relationship with our only grandchild from the get-go. It’s been a huge pleasure and a privilege to have played such a large part in him becoming the lovely nineteen year old he is now. He always enjoyed spending time with us, and since DH - whom he adored - died he has spent a lot of time “keeping an eye on me”. He likes an overnight stay and willingly gets his hands dirty for the price of a cooked breakfast and a good dinner. However, we all know there comes a time when the ties have to loosen and he’s a very busy chap these days. Growing and changing. We talk on the phone - mostly about golf and food - and I see him when he is home from uni. I can see All I want is for him to enjoy his life and get the best out of it.

fancyflowers

I have her for 3 hours in total, but we have to fitt her tea and her homework into that time, as well as the baking.

Why not record and then watch quizzes together? I suggest that The Bridge is very entertaining and there are others, including Impossible.
Sometimes even older kids need some downtime and don’t always want endless activities.

Nanny27

You talk to the side of their head while they stare at their phones and occasionally grunt in response. 🤣🤣

I bet that will ring a bell with the grandparents of many teenagers 😂

I don’t have any grandchildren yet (living in hope!) but my friend used to go on the bus into town with her teenage granddaughter some Saturdays, potter round the shops and treat her to a drink and snack at a nice cafe. They were very close and had a lot of fun. Sadly, my friend has died of cancer age 63. She was great company and we all miss her.

I have her for 3 hours in total, but we have to fitt her tea and her homework into that time, as well as the baking.

Mamasperspective

You already bake with her, why not teach her how to cook some full meals then you can sit and enjoy them. It's just basic life skills that would come in handy for any teenager. I would do a lot of cooking with my nephew when he would come over and he used to thoroughly enjoy it. You could buy her a book and, as you work, take some pictures and document the recipes, then she has a nice little keepsake to remind her of the recipes (and the memories)

Thank you for your suggestion. Unfortunately I only have about an hour for the baking, so it needs to be something that fits into that time scale. But I will look into some quick meal recipes.

Apologies I didn't read other comments, I see someone already made this suggestion

You already bake with her, why not teach her how to cook some full meals then you can sit and enjoy them. It's just basic life skills that would come in handy for any teenager. I would do a lot of cooking with my nephew when he would come over and he used to thoroughly enjoy it. You could buy her a book and, as you work, take some pictures and document the recipes, then she has a nice little keepsake to remind her of the recipes (and the memories)

My middle DGS refused to come when he got into Y8 (he is not quite 13), but he knows he can call if he wants to. I sometimes drop in around the time he gets home.

He fell out with the friend who lives in my road, so he does not come my way at all.

Grandmotherto8

Baking is a really good way to maintain contact and have fun. I bought my granddaughters a beautiful hardback notebook and we write the recipes we cook in the book. We try to take photos of each bake too, then print off when we have a few and put them in the book. We do cakes, biscuits but as they got older also their favourite meals.

I love the notebook idea. I hope you both write in it. Maybe a review or a 'Next time I'll make it more spicy'

I have birthday card from one gran, and a letter from the other. My dad died before retirement age, I've a postcard from him. Evidence of something loved ones wrote somehow makes them feel 'close' decades later

And photos too - genius. Not just the food, but cooks cooking too? I have one of DGD's first pancake toss!

My 14 year old grandaughter still likes baking with me. Another idea might be to order a takeaway together - maybe introducing a new foodvor chisine you dont know or ger favourite food?

Fancyflower, I’m in a similar situation to you. I have 1 dgd just coming up to 12 and I have mobility problems too and can’t drive.

Baking and cooking are staple activities and I’ve also found a recipe for homemade hand cream which I plan to try at half term. I’m also thinking that we might try giving each other facials.

I like the idea of creating her own recipe book with photos.

Two GC, mid teens.

We (still) play board games and cards. GS likes to talk about his girlfriend and ideas for dates. They now have active social / sporting lives and find our place a very handy base/ pied a terre when in town. Nowadays they are more likely to come on their own and enjoy time with us not shared with sibling.

My two GSs, 19 and 22, live nearly 500 miles away, but both take the trouble to ring me via WhatsApp at least once a week. When I do get to see them, they are affectionate but usually busy with friends or going to the gym. The gym seems to be so important to that generation, very strange I find.

Ive just been on holiday with 2 granddaughters,16& 18 (who are cousins) and one grandson 12,brother of one of the granddaughters.It was a holiday camp break and they love doing this.I see them all when i can during the year and my other grandchildren too, and we ring & text often.(i live nearly 2 hours away from them all) I take them on holiday in their turns.,the older ones.They're all ranged 3- 28, & theres always something for us to talk about.

Just 14 GD and 15 GS who do not live near so when they visit it can be for 3 days or a week or even longer. They now like to be active eg go bowling, go ice skating, attend ice hockey game, play mini golf, go carting, visit the beach for stone skimming (I'm the judge on who skimmed best each time).They often embark on creating a structure of some sort on the sand. Visit zip wire park, archery. It's non stop really. They also enjoy playing games after being out during the day. Of course, they enjoy having meals, coffee out. The GD loves clothes shopping , not so the GS.

You have had quality time with your grandchildren over a number of years. They will never forget you or the many wonderful, precious moments you have shared together - and will no doubt be happy to suggest things they would like to do with you now and in the next few years.
Do be thankful for having had that time. Our family has not been so fortunate in that for various health and associated reasons I have just one GC who has always lived a long way away.

But it is easier now she is a teenager and we can regularly communicate ideas, interests and feelings via WhatsApp. So when we do see each other, it is possible to pick up from these.
Don't worry, be happy!

That sounds great Kate1949.
Glad you had a good time and that they appreciate grandees.

jakuss

Once
They become a teenager you wont se them again, off with their mates, they will forget you ever existed

Our 16 year old dgd has begun to come and stay for the occasional weekend. She brings a friend, they do the 3 hour train journey and we collect them from the station. They enjoy shopping followed by mocktails and lunch or dinner in town. We love having them.

jakuss

Once
They become a teenager you wont se them again, off with their mates, they will forget you ever existed

This could happen but it’s a good idea to contact them when there’s some news they might be interested in. Also invite them out, or to your house, for food. Food normally works.

DGD is 14 and DGS is 13, their parents are brother and sister. We see DGD at least twice a week and she sometimes cooks for us now. We chat, play a game, watch telly or she might help with a job in the garden or the house. I do miss the days when she would come running out of school shouting my name with her arms spread out for a hug but we know we are so very lucky to have her still wanting to spend time with us. DGS is five hours away so we only see him a few times a year and I wish more than anything that we could see him more. But I think we still have a special relationship with him, it’s just different. We watch him play rugby, sometimes watch him gaming and just chat. Just make the most of every minute OP and don’t listen to people who tell you that once they’re teenagers you’ll never see them again, just read the posts on here!