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TODAY'S CHILD

is not always fair. The ambiguity of the towards their grandparents. It becomes that grandparents familiarise themselves
situation is difficult to come to terms with. nearly impossible for a grandmother with digital communication technologies
They are ripped from your life and you to develop or maintain a relationship such as email, Skype, WhatsApp and
become the granny that lives far, far way. with her grandchildren and to be part FaceTime to develop the necessary skills
The frequency of contact might decline of their lives if the gatekeeper hampers to communicate with their grandchildren.
but the emotional closeness remains, communication and frequent contact. To Time differences, however, reduce the
therefore you need to stay in regular keep the grandmother connected to the spontaneity of the interaction and require
contact to keep the memories alive. family, it is vital to send her photographs forward planning. A grandmother that is
of the grandchildren and to share their connected can become innovative and
The quality of the grandparent-grandchild daily activities and important milestones creative by using her laptop to virtually
relationship hinges on frequent contact. with her. teach an old family recipe to make
Geographic distance, one of the pancakes. Setting a date to do activities
strongest predictors of contact between How do you give a lollypop if you are such as reading at a set time every week
grandparents and grandchildren, greatly continents away from each other? To can create continuity.
affects the emotional involvement fully enjoy the pluses of close loving
between these generations. The possibility relationships with grandchildren, there's Via intangible bonds of ever-present
of experiencing a significant relationship no substitute for physical proximity. connectedness, lollypops can sometimes
with a grandchild is closely linked to Visits, if possible, are the ultimate. They be sent virtually. Each grandparent finds
consistent contact between the three allow you to be part of your grandchild’s his/her own way to maintain connection,
generations: the parents/ grandparents new world and to create new memories. and meet the challenges of sharing their
left behind; the adult-child that has They also assist you in forming a affection with their grandchildren. Despite
emigrated, and the grandchild generation. mental picture of your children’s new being a transnational grandparent, the
surroundings. The other alternative is honorary title of grandparent will always
Emigrant parents, especially the Internet communication. It is imperative remain.
mother, act as a communication bridge
between grandparents left behind
and grandchildren by encouraging or
hampering interaction between them.
The mother of the grandchild is often
said to be the gatekeeper and the most
important link to the grandchild. The role
of the mother as a gatekeeper, especially
in transnational families, is to initiate and
preserve contact between the generations.
The quality of the relationship between
emigrant-parent and grandparent will
dictate to what degree the grandchild
will maintain contact with a grandparent,
and the attitude grandchildren will have

INTRA MUROS APRIL 2020 33