Role of grand parents.
How much value do you see in being to be a part of your grand children's lives. We presently only have 2 grand children so it wouldn't be too hard to fit them into a full timer's schedule but with 4 m...
Forum Discussion
When we began full-timing over 16 years ago our kids were so enthusiastic about us traveling. We had one grandchild at the time and yes, at first we missed him more than our own kids. However, we soon learned how to have it all.
Back then we didn't have computers, email or cell phones. Everything was done by mail or from a pay phone booth. However, we feel, as our kids do, and also all the grandkids as they have become teens, that we did a super job of involving them in our travels.
We even took the school project 'Flat Henry' on our trips for all the grandkids' school project.
We wrote/called often, sent postcards of where we were, sent trinkets from where we were. We were ALWAYS there in person for their big days - the first day of school, birthdays, Christmas, many times for Halloween, for their big games in sports and for important school activities.
Yes, it took work, planning and extra cash to do all of those but all of us are happy that we succeeded. Sometimes one of us would fly in for special days. We took them on trips in our RV and got them very interested in geocaching. They visited us when we were in special places.
Now, as teens, they say they loved the experiences they had and are happy for us for the experiences we've had, and they hope they can do the same some day. It's more than likely that it won't happen but that's how they feel about the whole thing.
Bottom line. They're all happy and very well-adjusted children. We have an excellent relationship with them.
Oh...and the families have also now moved out of our home town - not because of us but because of work circumstances. People nowdays are very mobile. As the older one just finished high school, we and his parents, expect him to leave for new surroundings, also.
Back then we didn't have computers, email or cell phones. Everything was done by mail or from a pay phone booth. However, we feel, as our kids do, and also all the grandkids as they have become teens, that we did a super job of involving them in our travels.
We even took the school project 'Flat Henry' on our trips for all the grandkids' school project.
We wrote/called often, sent postcards of where we were, sent trinkets from where we were. We were ALWAYS there in person for their big days - the first day of school, birthdays, Christmas, many times for Halloween, for their big games in sports and for important school activities.
Yes, it took work, planning and extra cash to do all of those but all of us are happy that we succeeded. Sometimes one of us would fly in for special days. We took them on trips in our RV and got them very interested in geocaching. They visited us when we were in special places.
Now, as teens, they say they loved the experiences they had and are happy for us for the experiences we've had, and they hope they can do the same some day. It's more than likely that it won't happen but that's how they feel about the whole thing.
Bottom line. They're all happy and very well-adjusted children. We have an excellent relationship with them.
Oh...and the families have also now moved out of our home town - not because of us but because of work circumstances. People nowdays are very mobile. As the older one just finished high school, we and his parents, expect him to leave for new surroundings, also.
