Visiting grandma on facebook

[Anonymous]

Great to have my mom visit, but it’s really hard to get her off iPad and Facebook. She posts about the grandkids and talks to them a little. Otherwise off in her own world, does not initiate any play or activity, and does not enjoy being outside or active.

I find it makes me anxious and it feels like I have to plan and pick everything. It’s easier when we visit her, but I don’t have enough vacation to go to her every time. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

What kind of stuff are you planning/picking for her? It sounds like she's content to just sit on the sofa; give her the remote and wifi password and go about your day.

[Anonymous]

Things that involve food and sitting

[Anonymous]

Encourage your kids to invite her to do things. "Grandma, come color with me/play this game with me/read this book with me/help me study my spelling words/come bake cookies with me/teach me how to sew a button".

Have her visit for shorter times.

[Anonymous]

You need yon ok an outings and activities

[Anonymous]

You need to plan outings and activities

[Anonymous]

Tell her there’s a 1 hour screen time limit in this house and that applies to everyone.

[Anonymous]

So, let her sit on her iPad. Take the kids and do what you normally would do. She can decide to join in or not.

[Anonymous]

Let her sit and scroll. Parts of her body probably hurt and it is common for older people to talk continuously about food: prep, prices, recipes, the next meal, etc. If you plan anything, plan it with your children’s pleasure in mind- she can sit on a bench. You can’t make someone a loving, attentive grandmother. If she was a loving, attentive mother, consider yourself lucky. Kids are exhausting and draining. Accept her as she is, flaws and all.