Your grandchildren are your whole world. Moving away from them is sometimes necessary to achieve your goals or follow a career. Nothing is more important than staying connected with family, but you can seek adventure simultaneously — no matter how far away you are. Learn how to deal with the emotional, financial and practical implications of being nations away from loved ones, while still nourishing long-lasting relationships.

Use Technology to Stay Connected

If COVID-19 taught anyone anything about interpersonal connections, it’s that technology is a wonderful tool for making people feel like they’re in the same room, even if it doesn’t replace in-person connections.

Many social technologies are inexpensive, or you likely already own them. You may already have a laptop, phone or tablet with a built-in webcam and video-calling software. This is most of what you need, along with a robust internet connection to ensure you don’t spend quality time worrying about whether connections are going to drop. Here are a few creative ways to make these tools fresh for your grandkids:

• Interactive storytime: Many video conferencing apps allow people to use shared tools or play games cooperatively. You can find digital storytime platforms, where your grandchildren can choose their own adventure as you narrate or flip virtual pages. 
• Coworking and hobby sessions: Sometimes, all people want is to be in the same room together. If your grandkids are working or in school, sit beside them on a video call and support each other with motivation and feedback. You could also do your favorite hobbies together without the pressure of having a constant conversation.
• Online scrapbooking: Dig through photos and videos of when you were together and spend time arranging them in a free photo program. It can help remind you of the heartwarming and funny moments you’ve had.

Nourish Connections Despite Distance

Combine your technology with other efforts to keep the connection fresh. Seek to find out new things about each other by experimenting with different activities. 

Sending gifts to one another is a great option. You can set a low-cost precedent by sending letters or small treats instead of grand, expensive surprises. They can be novelty items from where you live that your grandkids might not find anywhere else, or you can arrange a hobby for them, such as a scavenger hunt or puzzle, so they think of you while doing the activity.

You can also create more passive ways to learn about each other, such as making a playlist of your favorite songs and podcasts. Every time you listen to it, you can talk about the ideas and lyrics that stuck out to you. 

Finally, you can learn your grandkids’ love languages. If they love quality time, prioritize that. If they need words of affirmation, remind your grandkids how much you love them. 

This can soften the feeling of missing someone. Having a strong bond also helps during difficult conversations. For example, if your grandchildren are older and your beneficiaries, you may want to discuss any wishes you have connected to your will or trust, which both transfer property or assets.

Create Experiences and Anticipation

You should create something to look forward to as often as possible. Make sure there’s always a date on the calendar when you can see each other again, even if it’s far away. It boosts morale for everyone.

If you can financially support it, gift your grandchildren the experience of visiting you, exposing them to another culture while sharing part of your new life with them. If possible, organize the trip around a special event, like a birthday or festival, to make it feel even more celebratory. 

Living in different countries can make travel expensive, even if it’s only once a year. Keep your family optimistic by sharing progress on a savings jar dedicated to visits. It can get everyone excited for what’s to come.

Deal With the Emotional and Financial Side Effects

Juggling technology and visit planning can be challenging, especially when living in a different country. Distance can cause grief, but it’s important to acknowledge this and not let it prevent you from being present with family. Consistency and a strong support system are some of the best ways to manage this. 

However, sometimes, sadness and missing your grandkids can turn into unnecessary spending. Be mindful and budget for visits and gifts responsibly to prevent stress and resentment from being far apart. 

Always be open with other family members, including your grandkids, about the emotional and monetary weight of being physically distant. You can remind each other that the miles don’t represent the depth of your bond and that many families are also spread out and learning how to navigate this new normal. 

Connections Across Borders

You will always miss your family, but you can maintain confident mental and financial health despite distances. All you have to do is make an effort, embracing creativity and technology to mend the gaps. Eventually, you’ll meet again with careful budgeting and patience, seeing the fruits of your labors to foster great relationships.