COVID-Safe Ways to Stay Connected with Your Grandkids
The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for many people for many different reasons. Many of us have lost loved ones or jobs due to the illness. Others have had to cancel dream trips or lifelong plans. Social isolation and loss of intimate family relationships are some of the most common casualties of the pandemic.
One of the relationships that many seniors value the most is that with their grandchildren. There are many life milestones that come quickly for grandkids, especially if they’re young, and missing months or even a year of their lives can have you missing a lot. Until the pandemic is under control, it’s smart to come up with some COVID-safe ways to maintain a strong relationship with your grandkids. By following the most up-to-date Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and careful planning, you can stay connected with your grandkids without putting them or yourself at risk.
Tips for the Vaccinated Grandparent
At time of publication, most seniors have received at least their first shot of the COVID vaccination, whether that’s from Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or one of the other vaccines that are available. Once you’re fully vaccinated, you may have a greater degree of freedom in terms of who you can see and what you can do, but that may not apply to your grandkids. There has not yet been a vaccine that’s approved for use in people who are younger than 12 years old. There are some being tested right now, but results and official approval could be months off, with some estimates aiming at late summer or the beginning of 2022. This means that while you may be able to go to a restaurant, house of worship, or small party, your young grandchild may not. Of course, the safety of your grandkid is paramount, so what can you do?
Fully vaccinated means you’ve received the full dosage of the vaccination and the proper amount of time has passed for your body to build immunity, generally two weeks.
The current CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated people should allow you to see your unvaccinated grandchildren fairly freely. Keep in mind, fully vaccinated means you’ve received the full dosage of the vaccination (two shots for Moderna and Pfizer, one for Johnson & Johnson) and the proper amount of time has passed for your body to build immunity, generally two weeks. So, what can you do? Unless your grandkid has a condition that makes them high risk for severe COVID, if you’re fully vaccinated, you should be able to see them at their house without a mask or social distancing. That means hugs are possible again. This is only true for vaccinated people though. Unvaccainted people should still follow safety guidelines, like wearing masks and social distancing.
Virtual Options
Of course, one option that’s been available to many of us throughout the pandemic has been virtual hangouts. In fact, we discussed the topic previously, listing several ways you can be together, even when you’re physically apart. For grandparents, this can be an excellent way to keep in touch with your grandkids, even if they’re at a great distance or you’re unable to see them because you’re not vaccinated yet. Even if you are vaccinated, a virtual hangout on something like Zoom can allow you to see people in multiple households at once.
Virtually available games may also be a good idea if they all have access to another smartphone or tablet to play along.
You can do more than just talk while you’re on the video call! You can incorporate activities for everyone, like we suggest in the article we mentioned above. While some of the ideas, like a book club or cooking, may not be suitable for children, you could create art, knit, or do any number of child-safe activities that can be done and shared over video. Virtually available games, like the Jackbox games, may also be a good idea if they all have access to another smartphone or tablet to play along.
Have Fun Outdoors
Spending time outdoors with your grandkids has several benefits. First and foremost, outdoor activities are generally safer during the COVID-19 pandemic for several reasons. Outside, it’s easier to socially distance. It’s often better ventilated, as well, meaning fresh air is cycling through, making you less likely to come into contact with enough droplets carrying the virus to make you sick. So, as long as you’re socially distancing and taking reasonable safety precautions, outdoor activities are usually pretty safe.
Getting lunch together and having a socially distanced picnic could be a nice way to spend an afternoon.
This leaves you with plenty of ways to get together with your grandkids outside safely. Getting lunch together and having a socially distanced picnic could be a nice way to spend an afternoon. If you have access to a private pool — where fewer people will likely be crowded in — swimming may also be fun. Don’t forget about the numerous sports you can play together, like socially distanced catch with a baseball or football, or golfing if your grandkids are a bit older. Tennis, basketball, and soccer are all sports you can enjoy together while giving each other enough space to be safe during COVID.
● ● ●
Staying connected with loved ones throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been a struggle, to be sure, but that’s amplified for young grandchildren that grow like weeds before reaching adulthood. You don’t want to miss a second of those precious years. As long as you can do it safely, you don’t have to!
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?
- Using Za'atar in Your Cooking
- Dealing with Canceled Flights
- Protecting Your Vacation from Flight Disruptions
- Do Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Medicare Coverage?
- Which is Better: A Bath or Shower?
- Are Weight Loss Medications Healthy?
- Healthy Strategies for Anger Management
- The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- The Difference Between Common Cooking Papers and Foils
- What are Medicare I-SNPs?
- Identifying Toxic Relationships in Your Life
- Healthy Ways to Spice Up Your Water
- All About Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans
- Medicareful Travels: A Senior Guide to All-Inclusive Resorts
- Does Medicare Cover Occupational Therapy?
- Lower 2023 Medicare Part B Premium Could Be on the Way
- Which is Better: Natural or Artificial Sweeteners?
- Tips for Vacationing with Pets
- Is It Better to Work Out Harder or Longer?
- Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
- Are Medicare Part B Giveback Plans Worth It?
- Introducing the Medicareful Living Family Cookbook!
- Medicare Coverage for Treatment of PTSD
- The Causes and Treatments of Nasal Congestion
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Spring Rolls
- Medicare Freezes Late Enrollment Penalties for Qualifying Enrollees
- What is a 5-Star Medicare Plan?
- What is PTSD?
- What is Inflammation?
- What is Medicare's Secondary Payer Program?
- What You Should Know When Buying Cast Iron Cookware
- What Does MACRA Mean for You?
- What to Do If You Receive a Terminal Diagnosis
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Homemade Lobster Ravioli
- Reading and Understanding Your Blood Pressure
- How to Be a Snowbird in Retirement (18 Questions to Ask!)