Close ties despite distance

Even if babies and toddlers do not yet speak or consciously store memories, emotional bonding with familiar people is important in the first few months of life. Grandparents can also encourage this from a distance. These ideas help to build up closeness from an early age:

- Encourage familiarity through voice and face: Regular video messages or short video calls with songs, rhymes or a cheerful "Good morning!" ensure that grandma and grandpa become visible and audible to the child.

- Grandma says "Good night": A regular voice message at bedtime or a photo hanging next to the changing table can help the child to develop a sense of familiarity.

- Give something tangible: A homemade mini photo album with pictures of grandma and grandpa, the dog or cat, the house and the garden, help to make the bond tangible.

- Be patient: It can happen that the toddler is a stranger during the first few encounters. Sometimes it takes several meetings for a child to gain trust - and that's perfectly fine. The relationship that has already grown over the distance forms a secure basis.

With loving continuity and small signs of closeness, a bond is formed early on that becomes stronger and stronger over time. Because children sense who takes time for them.

Grandparents don't have to have long conversations to be present. Consistency counts, especially with younger children. A short message, a phone call or a picture can work wonders.

Perhaps you can even arrange a fixed, weekly "grandma-grandpa time" so that both sides can look forward to it. If you arrange fixed times, you can avoid slowly losing contact in the stress of everyday life.

Tip: It's better to have a quick "hello" every Wednesday than an in-depth conversation once a month. Regular points of contact convey security and familiarity.

Who says you can't talk and play together at a distance? Use digital platforms that are easy to use. Technology is not a 100% substitute for face-to-face closeness - but it is a helpful tool to keep it alive. Here are a few ideas for digital closeness:

- Regular video calls: 'chatting' together over breakfast or showing off the latest crafts.

- Virtual reading sessions: Read your favorite book live once a week - this also works wonderfully digitally. Or grandma and grandpa can record a bedtime story as a video. This way, the video can be played several times. Young children in particular like to hear the same story over and over again and thus hear the voice of grandma and grandpa.

- Share child-friendly apps and online games: Memory, Uno, Monopoly or board games such as Mensch ärgere dich nicht or Mühle are also available online. Many educational and board games on the internet are free and don't require your own games console.

In our digital world, handwritten letters and postcards are an exception - especially for children. Why not send your grandson or granddaughter a postcard with a funny sticker or a letter that says: "I'm thinking of you!"

Tip: This is guaranteed to go down well: small parcels with home-baked cookies, a mini craft or a self-written nursery rhyme will be remembered for a long time - and awaken anticipation for the next reunion.

Despite the distance, grandparents and grandchildren can be creative together or play together. We have a few ideas for you here:

- Family diary: Both sides write and draw in it, then it goes back and forth by post.

- Cooking project with video accompaniment: Cook a simple recipe together - and laugh together.

- Create a photo or memory album: Tell and illustrate old family stories - bringing history to life.

A lovingly prepared visit to grandma and grandpa is something special. It doesn't need any big highlights or expensive adventures. It's more about enjoying the time together intensively. To increase the anticipation, you can make a countdown calendar to cross off or write a small wish list together for the day of the visit. Establishing shared rituals will create lasting memories. Perhaps the child's favorite meal is regularly on the table at lunchtime or "Grandma's famous apple pie" is served for dessert. "Grandpa's exciting adventure stories from the past" also make every visit unforgettable.

Children don't always feel like making a long phone call at the agreed time. Perhaps the grandchild has something else on their mind - that's completely normal. Every grandchild is also different and has their own needs and interests at different ages. What one grandchild loves may not always go down well with another granddaughter. Show understanding for this and be flexible. The important thing is to stick with it lovingly and enjoy every little contact.