When Grandkids Move Away: 8 Gifts That Keep You Close

The moving truck pulls away. The house feels different. And you start wondering how you stay close when so many miles suddenly stand between you and the grandkids you adore.

It happens for all kinds of reasons: a parent’s new job, a family change, a fresh start somewhere new. Whatever brought it on, the loss is real. But so is your ability to send a little piece of yourself along with them.

Here are eight things worth tucking into their new life before they go.

A Photo of Your Face

It sounds simple, and it is. A framed picture of your smiling face gives your grandchildren something familiar to look at every single day. Sweet, familiar faces can bolster their confidence on a hard day. Put it somewhere they’ll see it often, on a nightstand, a dresser, or even propped up on a piano.

A Memory Book

Fill a scrapbook with the best of what you’ve shared together. Birthday photos, holiday snapshots, a ticket stub from a movie you saw, a pressed wildflower from a bouquet they once brought you, a mini golf scorecard from that fun round of 18 holes. The memories are already there; all you’re doing is putting them somewhere they can hold on to.

Leave some blank pages at the end with a note that says, To be continued… Make it a goal to add to that book every time you visit. And make one for each grandchild. It will be something they treasure for the rest of their lives.

Their Favorite Treat

On The Andy Griffith Show, Aunt Bee never let Andy leave without chasing him down with a sack full of sandwiches for the road. That was her love language. You can speak the same one. Send your grandchildren off with their favorite snacks, a candy bar, a package of cookies, whatever makes them smile. Something sweet can take the edge off a hard goodbye. And keep it going: care packages of baked goods and candy for birthdays and holidays they can’t spend with you go a long way.

Something You Wear

 

Scent is one of the most powerful memory triggers we have. Pull an old sweater or flannel from the closet and send it along. You don’t need to add any fragrance; your grandchildren already know your smell. That familiar scent on a piece of clothing can bring them right back to you on a night when they miss home the most.

A Sentimental Object

Is there a book you always read to them at bedtime? Send it, then buy yourself a new copy for their next visit. Is there a doll or toy they always played with at your house? Let it go with them. Like Linus Van Pelt with his blue blanket, a lot of security can be found in a familiar object. In a world that is completely new to them, something from your home will be priceless.

A Rock from Your Yard

 

Kids love rocks. Many young children turn them into pets. So why not send one from your own yard? Every time your grandchild steps outside in their new neighborhood, they can spot a tangible piece of home sitting right there with them. You can even write a short message on it with a marker. Small? Yes. Meaningful? Completely.

A Memory Quilt

If you have any skill with a needle and thread, a memory quilt made from familiar clothing is a gift that will outlast almost anything else you could give. Use pieces of what they always saw you wearing: a flannel shirt, a favorite dress, a scarf you tied around their ears on cold mornings. The warmth it provides is both physical and something deeper than that. It is a gift that can last a lifetime.

A Way to See Your Face

A phone, a tablet, or a laptop costs money. But you cannot put a price on your grandchildren’s faces lighting up when you appear on their screen. Video calls through FaceTime, Google Meet, Skype, and similar tools let you show up for school events, birthdays, and ordinary Tuesday evenings, without ever leaving your living room. Long-distance grandparents who use these tools say they would not be able to have the kind of relationships they have without them.

The miles are real. But so is everything you can do about them. A little creativity, a little love, and the right goodbye gift can make sure your grandchildren carry you with them, wherever they end up.