What Makes a Grandparent Truly Unforgettable?
Introduction
What makes a grandparent truly unforgettable?
As long-distance grandparents, it's easy to wonder what our grandkids will remember about us someday.
Will they remember the gifts?
The video calls?
The visits?
Maybe.
But I believe they'll remember something even more important...
How we made them feel.
In this video, I'm sharing the four feelings unforgettable grandparents create and why the tiny moments we've been talking about—silly surprises, video call ideas, handwritten notes, and mailbox magic—matter so much more than they may seem.
🎁 Want a few easy, tiny moment ideas you can use right away?
Grab my free resource:
7 Tiny Moment Surprises: Make Your Grandkids Light Up Even from a Distance for easy, but memorable ways to stay connected with your grandkids.
You can find it here at https://tammykersey.com/7-moments-landing.
New here? I’m Tammy — a children’s picture book author and virtual Grammy sharing what I’m learning about long-distance grandparenting, connection, and virtual storytimes.
If this video resonates with you, I’d love for you to join me each week for more intentionally different grandparenting ideas for long-distance families. Connect with me here at https://tammykersey.com/email.
Video
What Makes a Grandparent Truly Unforgettable?
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7 Tiny Moment Surprises: Make Your Grandkids Light Up Even from a Distance. These tiny moments may seem simple...but they just may be the ones your grandchild remembers most. Because connection isn't built all at once—it's built in these small, meaningful touch points over time.
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🎥 Video Transcript
INTRODUCTION
You know, I think about this…years from now, what my grandsons will remember about me?
Will they remember the things I sent them?
The video calls?
The visits?
Maybe…
PERSONAL REFLECTION
And whenever I think about that question, I find myself thinking about my own grandmothers.
What I remember is…
How I felt like the only person in the world when my grandmother’s eyes locked directly on mine as she told me stories,
how the “weeds” I picked for her had a special vase on her kitchen windowsill (I still have today),
how I could see the pride in their eyes,
and how safe and loved I felt when I was with them.
What strikes me is that while I certainly remember some of the things we did together...
What I remember most is how they made me feel.
My grandmothers lived nearby.
I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with them.
As long-distance grandparents, we don't always have that same opportunity.
And if I'm being honest, being long-distance is not always easy.
Yes, I wish I lived closer.
Yes, I wish I could be part of more of the everyday things.
If you’re long distance, I’m sure you've felt that too.
DISTANCE: YESTERDAY vs. TODAY
But here's something I've realized.
While my grandmothers had something many of us don't have today—proximity—
we have things they never had.
Video calls.
Voice messages.
Text messages.
Photos instantly shared across the miles.
The ability to connect in ways that simply weren't possible years ago.
And that matters.
Because even though we may not be physically present for every moment, we can still create meaningful connections…even in the everyday.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE BUBBLES...
Over the past few weeks, I've shared ideas like:
Blowing bubbles on a video call.
Mailing funny mustaches.
Sending secret missions.
Creating silly surprises.
I wanted to pause for a minute to be sure the reason behind those ideas isn’t lost.
Because the mustaches aren't the point.
The bubbles aren't the point.
The secret missions aren't the point.
The feelings that result are the point.
And when I think about the grandparents who become truly unforgettable...
I think they help children feel four important things.
Loved.
Important.
Seen.
And joyful.
Help them feel...❤️ LOVED
Unforgettable grandparents help children feel loved.
Not just loved in a general sense.
But loved…even from a distance…in a tangible way:
"I was thinking about you so much, I had to find a way to let you know"
That's why something as simple and tangible as a handwritten note can mean so much.
Or a QR code tucked inside a letter with a special message just for them.
Or a paper heart chain letting them know things you love about them.
These send a powerful message:
"I was thinking about you and loving you today and had to be sure you knew it."
And every time a child receives that message, the feeling of love and receiving love grows.
⭐ IMPORTANT
Unforgettable grandparents help children feel important.
One of the ideas we talked about recently was letting your grandchild be in charge of the video call.
Or asking them to teach you something they love.
Those ideas aren't really about the activity.
They're about the message behind it.
When we let them lead...
When we ask for their help...
When we genuinely listen...
We're telling them:
"You matter."
"What you think matters."
"What's important to you is important to me."
And children never forget that feeling.
👀 SEEN
Unforgettable grandparents help children feel seen.
Meaning you take time to understand what they enjoy doing, what’s important to them.
"Grandma knows what I love."
"Grandpa pays attention."
The superhero surprises? Or maybe you’re sending a magical mermaid moment.
The special little things chosen specifically for them work because they're personal.
They tell a child:
"I know you."
"I see you."
"I know the things that make you light up."
And that creates connection in a very powerful way.
😂 JOYFUL
And unforgettable grandparents help children feel joyful.
When we worry about the connections we’re making, it’s easy to underestimate the importance of laughter.
But shared laughter creates connection in a truly memorable way.
Whether it's blowing bubbles on a video call...
Wearing silly mustaches...
Starting a call upside down...
Or creating a silly day surprise...
Those moments of laughter become part of the relationship.
And often, those are the stories children tell years later.
RECAP
Thinking back to my own grandmothers...I wish I could relive some of these, but…
I don't remember every conversation.
I don't remember every visit.
I don't remember every gift.
But I do remember how they made me feel.
Loved.
Important.
Seen.
Joyful.
And I think that's what our grandchildren will remember too.
CLOSING
We've spent the last several weeks talking about tiny moments.
Fun moments.
Creative moments.
Silly moments.
But I didn't want the "why" behind those moments to get lost.
Because the feelings we create in those tiny moments are what build our relationships with our grandchildren.
They're what create trust.
Connection.
Belonging.
And ultimately, those feelings become the biggest part of the legacy of love we leave behind.
We may not be there for every ordinary day.
That's simply the reality of being a long-distance grandparent.
But through consistent, intentional tiny moments...
We can still become an important and memorable part of our grandchild's story.
You don't become unforgettable through one grand gesture.
You become unforgettable through consistent, tiny moments over time.
7 TINY MOMENT SURPRISES
If you'd like more simple ways to create those tiny moments, I've put together a free resource called:
7 Tiny Moment Surprises: Make Your Grandkids Light Up Even from a Distance.
It's filled with easy, meaningful ideas designed specifically for long-distance grandparents.
You'll find the link in the description below.
STAYING CONNECTED
And if you're a long-distance grandparent who wants to stay connected in fun, meaningful, intentionally different ways...
I'd love to have you subscribe and join me here each week.
Because even from miles away, we can create moments our grandkids will never forget.
LINKS
If this video has been helpful or has resonated with you, please like and subscribe…let me know you’re watching, and I hope to see you here on my channel!
Here's the link to the free resource: https://tammykersey.com/7-moments-landing
You can sign up for my weekly email at https://tammykersey.com/email
