Grandparents Day lands in early September. If you have watched grandchildren in Peterborough use their devices on a rainy afternoon, you know that spending time together has changed over the past twenty years.
Grandparenting in the digital age means finding a balance between technology and traditional ways of connecting. Screens have their place in the mix. So do walks along the Otonabee River and card games at the kitchen table. The secret is to recognize when technology enhances a genuine visit and when it interferes with it.
Where Screens Actually Help
Video calls are the standout use of technology for long-distance grandparents. Watching a five-year-old show off a new drawing, hearing a teenager describe a school project.
Catching the goofy face a toddler makes when they see you appear. That connection was harder to keep alive a generation ago.
Sharing photos matters too. A family group chat where the parents post pictures from a weekend at the cottage gives grandparents a small window into daily life.
Even a one-line comment back keeps the conversation alive. Reading the same e-book works well for older grandchildren. Watching the same show and talking about it afterward can also be a good way to connect.
Playing Games Together Across a Screen
Simple online games have become a fair way to keep in touch with grandchildren who live too far for a Sunday visit.
A round of chess by phone, a shared crossword, or a family Wordle group all work. Nothing complicated. Just something you both look forward to.
For younger grandchildren, apps that let two people draw on the same screen at the same time are pure gold. These are simple examples of how grandparenting in the digital age can create new ways to connect.
So, reading a picture book aloud over video while they turn the pages of their copy is a wonderful way to connect. The bedtime story is not lost. It just travels through the wire.
Setting Good Limits When They Visit
When grandchildren are around, screens are a little more of a mixed bag. Using one during a long car ride from Toronto is fine, but bringing it to the dinner table can make the visit feel quieter.
Set a soft rule when they arrive: phones and tablets go in a basket by the door for meals and shared activities, then come back out for wind-down time.
Most children accept it quickly when they see the grandparent making a real effort with a game, a bake, or a walk. Baking cookies, working on a puzzle, or teaching them to shuffle cards are all better memories than any app.
Ask about their world too. What game are they playing? What show do they love? Watch a short episode with them, then talk about it. Curiosity beats criticism every time.
Staying Safe Online Yourself
Digital life is not only about the grandchildren. Older adults use screens for banking, medical appointments, and staying in touch. Scams targeting seniors have gotten more convincing.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has resources on staying safe that apply to broader online safety too. A few simple rules protect a lot. Never give a bank number, a health number, or a password over the phone or in an email, even to someone who claims to be from the bank.
When in doubt, hang up and call the bank yourself using the number on the back of the card. Ask a grandchild to help set up two-step verification on the email account. That one setting stops most trouble.
Real Visits, Real Support
Whether a grandchild is in the room or on the screen, the moments that matter are the ones where you feel present. Grandparenting in the digital age can help families find meaningful ways to stay connected.
Senior Helpers Peterborough works with families in Peterborough to make more of those moments possible. Our in-home senior care helps keep the household running well and gives grandparents more energy for what matters. Contact us whenever you would like to talk.