Introduction

Being a long-distance grandparent can sometimes feel like you’re always missing the everyday moments — but what if there are some things that actually work in your favor because of the distance? 🙌

In this video, we explore five powerful ways long-distance grandparenting creates unique opportunities for deep connection, meaningful rituals, and unforgettable memory-making moments. 💖

If you’d like a few simple connection ideas you can start using right away, I’ve also included a small printable you can find here 👉 https://tammykersey.com/shortcut.

Subscribe for weekly ideas, encouragement, and creative ways to build a special long-distance relationship with your grandchildren.

New here? I’m Tammy — a children’s picture book author and virtual Grammy sharing what I’m learning about storytime, connection, and long-distance grandparenting. I hope you’ll connect with me!

Video

5 Things That Actually Work in Your Favor as a Long-Distance Grandparent

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🎥 Video Transcript

INTRODUCTION / THE 5 ADVANTAGES

Most people think long-distance grandparenting is only about what you miss.
The hugs you don’t get every week…
The everyday moments you wish you could be part of.

I know…I’ve felt those feelings over the last 3 years

But more and more I’ve been realizing….

There are actually, believe it or not, some things that can work in our favor because we’re long-distance, that make our relationship unique & memorable in a different way.

As I’ve begun to understand this, I’ve been able to relax about it and focus on ways to introduce experiences that are unique in the relationship I have with my grandson.

If you are a long distance grandparent, feeling like you’re always trying to catch up, it’s possible to create moments your grandchildren will associate with you and remember because they’re different.

Today I want to share five of those advantages with you and how you can maximize the potential they provide.

Before I get started, if you’re a long-distance grandparent who could use some inspiration and ideas for connecting with your grandkids I hope you’ll subscribe to my channel. It doesn’t cost anything and it really helps my channel to grow and be seen.

So, here are the 5 advantages and how to maximize the potential they provide.

ADVANTAGE #1 — Anticipation becomes part of the bonding

When you don’t live nearby, your time together doesn’t just “happen.”
It’s planned.

And that changes something important for a child.

Instead of grandparent time blending into everyday life, it becomes something they look forward to.
They know you’re calling.
They know something special is about to happen.

Anticipation itself becomes part of the connection.

Many long-distance grandparents don’t realize this can actually be a strength.

So, your to-do in order to take advantage is to schedule a regular time that your grandchild can rely on and begin to anticipate every week knowing that Wednesday at bedtime, or Thursday after lunch is their time with you.

ADVANTAGE #2: Rituals become more meaningful

Because your time together is intentional, small rituals start to carry enormous meaning.

The special way you say hello.
A countdown hug.
A certain way you begin storytime.
A phrase you always repeat before saying goodbye.

These little rhythms may seem simple to us, but to a child they become emotional anchors — things they associate specifically with you.

And long-distance relationships naturally create space for those rituals to grow.

For example, one of the simplest rituals a long-distance grandparent can create takes less than 30 seconds.

Tell a tiny, super short story with your grandchild at the center of it at the beginning or end of every call. So short they can remember and cherish every detail of what you told them.

For example, and you can steal this and make it your own…there once was a Grammy who loved a little boy so much, every time she saw a red heart it made her think of him. So, every time you see a red heart this week you’ll know I’m thinking of you.

So, it can be anything but it’s fun to and more impactful to make it relevant to what’s happening in their life currently.

And before long, your grandchild isn’t just waiting to talk to you…
they’re waiting to hear what this week’s tiny story is going to be about.

ADVANTAGE #3: Imagination becomes your shared meeting place

When you can’t always share the same physical space, imagination becomes the place you meet instead.

Story worlds.
Pretend adventures.
Ongoing characters you create together.

Children will connect with you more easily through shared experiences — especially imaginative ones.

And storytime, pretend play, and creative rituals can become your superpower…and the great thing about them, especially with today’s technology, is that they travel across any distance beautifully.



ADVANTAGE #4: Moments together stand out more in your grandchild’s memory

Because your time together isn’t constant, the moments you share often stand out more clearly.

They become “Grandma moments.”
“Grandpa moments.”

Children remember the things that feel emotionally distinct, and long-distance grandparenting naturally creates those distinct experiences. That’s not to say we can just rely on it happening naturally— but when we lean into intentionally creating those special traditions and rituals it can make a significant difference.

ADVANTAGE #5: You naturally develop something that is uniquely yours

When you don’t live nearby, you don’t typically compete with everyday routines.

Instead, you get to become the grandparent associated with something uniquely yours:

The storytime grandparent
The adventure grandparent
The memory-making grandparent
The imagination grandparent

Whatever you decide to become in the eyes of your grandchildren. And those types of associations, children often carry with them for years.

CLOSING REFLECTION

One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve experienced is realizing this:

Long-distance grandparenting can’t just be like local grandparenting… from far away.

It is its own kind of relationship.
With its own rhythms.
Its own strengths.
And its own beautiful ways of creating connection.

And when we stop trying to recreate what can happen around the corner,
and instead begin leaning into what works because we’re long-distance,
we often discover we can create moments our grandchildren remember for life.

In the coming weeks, I’m going to start sharing more simple rituals and creative connection ideas — especially ones that work beautifully in short FaceTime moments — because sometimes the smallest intentional moments become the most meaningful ones.

I’ve also put together a small printable with a few simple connection ideas you can start using right away. If that would be helpful, you can find it in the description below.

If you’re a long-distance grandparent who wants to create a relationship that feels deeply connected — even across the miles — I’d love for you to subscribe and join me here each week.

I think we can build a very special supportive community here together.

Here's the link to the free resource: https://tammykersey.com/shortcut-landing

You can sign up for my weekly email at https://tammykersey.com/email