Oh my heart. Never in a million years did I imagine, as a grandparent, that I would value bonding via electronics so much. Face Time with my 3 month old grandson allows me to be an active participant in his development even though I live 3,000 miles away. I try my best not to baby-talk him but as soon as I see his face on my device, I start the baby talk. You can probably imagine my thrill when he began vocalizing in response to my goo-gooing. Over a few weeks I witnessed him sending messages to his fist that he wanted his thumb inside his mouth. Then one day, it eventually happened and I saw it.
I look forward to my weekly calls, to see his open face, and to view the delight he takes in his parent’s love. It is clear that my grand baby has settled into life outside the uterus, is not a fearful baby, and that he revels in his parent’s love. They can tell me how fast he is growing but I’d rather be a witness to his growth and Face Time makes this possible.
Here is why I prefer Face Time over the other applications:
Face Time Allows Real Time Engagement
Unlike Vine or standard photos, Face Time lets me interact with my grandchild at the moment we connect online. Even though I love looking at photos that capture a moment in time, or videos that allow me to vicariously experience his wonder or excitement, for now, nothing beats experiencing these things in real time.
Face Time Lets You to Become A Witness to Your Grand Child’s Physical Growth and to his/her Parents Growth As Well
From week to week, I can see S changing. He had two folds under his eyes two weeks ago and now that has filled out making his face more round. There are 6 fat folds in his arms now and I am amazed at the nourishment that breast milk can produce. When he looks at the IPAD in response to me calling his name and proclaiming my love (he does not recognize me I know), he looks intently while I blow kisses. No one has to tell me about his attention span. I can witness this. His navel has relaxed into position so no alarm there. There simply is no substitute for the actual experience of seeing him grow. And I can also get a sense of how parenting is going for his parents.
Face Time Offers the Possibility that Your Grand Child Will Recognize You When You Visit IRL
Because my son and daughter-in-love have started a practice of me interacting with S regularly, I believe he will recognize me when we see each other again during our next IRL visit. It also sets a precedent for how his parents manage my interaction with him long-term. As he grows, my hope is that they will encourage him to contact his Grand Mommy weekly. They realize I schedule time with S into my life because it is important to me, so they try to make this happen.
You Will Emotionally Become Part of Your Grandchild’s Life
My time with S gives me a certain emotional fulfillment. As a new grandparent, he reminds me of what is important in life. I have an opportunity to re-discover so many things and to learn new things as the world changes. I am expanded, not in an egotistical sense, but by his life on the planet because he is pure magic. Nothing is calculated. He wants what he wants when he wants it. Simple as that.
Your Relationships with Extended Family will Flourish
My interaction with S creates new ways to engage with my son and DIL. Their child makes them think beyond themselves. I say this because their questions now are often not about themselves but others. They are learning new ways to build community for their son because they now know the meaning of the proverb, “It takes a village.” This makes me happy.
I am learning how to implement cross generational interactions and finding it rewarding. How do you keep in touch with love ones who do not live nearby?
Kay Lynn says
My grandson (and his mom) moved across country right after he turned two. We’ve kept in touch with twice-yearly visits and weekly Skype calls. It’s been wonderful seeing him grow and keeping a close relationship.
P.S. Your grandson is adorable!
Patricia A Patton says
Thanks Kay Lynn. What would we do without tech and dislocated families that no longer live together in compounds? Thank you for visiting this site and I lok forward to chekcing out the weightchronicles.com
Lisha @ The Lucky Mom says
We had Skype when my husband was deployed in Iraq. I can’t imagine how disconnected we would have felt if we had not been able to interact with him for a whole year. Electronic communication is no replacement for physical presence, but when it’s all you’ve got, it’s a gift!
Great post. Adorable grandson!
Patricia A Patton says
Hello Lisha
Thank you so much for visiting the site. I don’t think we have met but I will be sure to check your site out. I can imagine what benig away from your husband might have been like for your family. Skype indeed gave me a reassuring feeling when my son was traveling as an adult and I felt disconnected and I think it was my first love. I wish I’d written that line “Electronic communication is no replacement for physical presence, but when it’s all you’ve got, it’s a gift!” What a great ending that would have been to my post 😀 Again thank you.
Deborah Davis says
I’m in love with those alert, intelligent eyes and I am deeply moved by your tale of ‘growing closer to your grandson as he grows’ IRL–thanks to the blessing of Face Time and modern tech! I’m so happy for you and your loving family relationships! Ain’t life grand!
Patricia A Patton says
Yes Deborah the eyes have “it.” Had to take his pic down at reqeust of my children and use a stock one. And life is Grand. Thanks Deborah. I will be over to see what you are up too over at UN.com next week. Coming off Vacay.