One of the greatest joys of growing older is grandkids. You get to do all of the spoiling, but don’t have to worry about late-night feedings and colic. However due to many reasons, including financial and economic issues, more and more adult children are moving out-of-state — and taking your grandkids with them! You can and should still be a presence in your grandchild’s life. Out of sight does not necessarily mean out of mind. You just have to work harder than the next-door Grandma or Grandpa. But I think you’ll agree that the result is worth it.

The Foundation For Grandparenting, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting grandparents, notes that long-distance grandparents may discover two major negative effects with regard to their situation. For starters, their relationship with their grandchild lacks the day-to-day contact that is needed for two people to become close. This is especially detrimental for younger children. Secondly is the lack of time alone with each other. But these effects can be counteracted with a little extra effort.

Be sure to express your concern to your child and his or her spouse. Remember that they want the best for their kids, and what could be better for a child than her grandparents?

Infants and toddlers may think that a grandparent that they don’t see often is a stranger. They may be frightened of you and not trust you. Don’t insist on holding the baby until you gain his trust. And once you do gain his trust, be sure to keep it! This is where his parents’ help is needed. Send pictures of yourself to your grandchild. Call often, and ask your child to show your grandchild your picture while you talk to him. Just hearing your voice and seeing your photo helps young children with recognition.

My father lives in Ohio, and when my daughter was born, I lived in Georgia. When he came to visit for my daughter’s 1st birthday, he asked her for a kiss over and over again. After the balloons had all lost their air and the thank you notes had been sent, my daughter remembered those kisses from Grandpa. Whenever I told her that she had a call from Grandpa, she kissed the phone.

As the months passed, she began to forget her Grandpa again, and our next visit to Ohio brought out a shy little girl who didn’t remember the telephone kisses. I vowed that she would not miss out on love from any of her grandparents again. And your grandchild shouldn’t miss out on your love either!

Making a scrapbook picture frame is one activity that you can do when you are with your grandchild to ease the distance when you're apart. You can decorate a picture frame (or make your own out of poster board) with mementos from an outing together. You don't need to go anywhere fancy – a local fair, the beach, or even your own backyard! Have your grandchild collect small items – such as leaves, flowers, seashells, or ticket stubs. Take photographs on your outing. Be creative. Take some of your grandchild, some of the two of you together, and if your grandchild is old enough, have her take photos of you or the scenery. If your grandchild shows an interest, have him help you or give him his own frame to decorate. Then just paste the mementos to the frame for a photo that that is unique and touching.

At the end of this article are instructions for creating scrapbook picture frames. These handmade frames are a beautiful way to remember the times you and your grandchild spent together. But don’t stop there. The best way to keep connected with your little angel is to stay involved in his life. Here are some more quick tips for staying in your grandchild’s life, even if you can’t be there physically:

• Tape yourself reading stories. Send both the audiotape and the book to your grandchild.
• Keep track of important days in your grandchild’s life. This is a great way to connect on days other than the usual holidays or birthdays. Send a card or letter before the big soccer game offering encouragement.
• Mail small gifts or trinkets on obscure holidays. For instance, send a gift certificate for a local ice cream parlor on June 7th, National Chocolate Ice Cream Day. Or email a funny cow card on Cow Appreciation Day, which is July 15th, if you didn’t know. More strange and obscure holidays can be found at HolidayInsights.com.
• The AARP has a great suggestion on their website (aarp.org). Long distance gardening! When you plant your own garden, set aside a few seeds from those that you are planting. Mail them to your grandchild and encourage her to make her own garden. She will initiate conversations as the plants begin to sprout, flower, and produce vegetables. It’s also an excellent opportunity to teach her about plants and offer advice and tips that she will take with her throughout her life.