Keeping in Touch During a Global Pandemic: Tips for Toddlers

As I waved my Dad off at the airport last September, I had no idea that nearly a year later, I’m still not sure when I’ll see him again. Bad luck, medical issues, and a global pandemic have kept us apart for longer than I like to think about. Since we last hugged goodbye, my daughter has outgrown her toddler tantrums (mostly!) and is now a doting big sister. My son was born in December and has yet to meet most of his close family. Not least his Granda with whom he shares a name! Each milestone is bittersweet. There is excitement tinged with sadness that these moments can’t be shared by anyone else. At this rate, he will be running off the plane when we finally can visit Ireland again.

But the show must go on! Throughout the pandemic, I have tried to focus on aspects of my life that are within my control. Reuniting with family isn’t one of them. Right now I have no idea when I’ll enjoy a gin at 37,000 feet hurtling my way to the elusive Emerald Isle.

What I can control is the time I invest in building the bond between my children and their family, especially their grandparents.

This is how we have kept our family close to our hearts:

At the start of lockdown, my daughter refused point blank to cooperate with video calls. She was adapting to a new normal which meant no playgroup, no playdates, and a trip to Ireland suddenly canceled. With time and some creative thinking, she now asks to call home which is a big win. Random calls aside, we use skype to keep in touch in many different ways.

Lunchtime catch-ups

My daughter chooses who to call and has a “private” chat with them. If I talk, she loses all interest (suits me fine)! I don’t do this every day but calls over lunch spare the other person a nauseating view of the ceiling. Or being left in the microwave of the play kitchen to “cook!”

Virtual playdates

Each Irish household has a collection of toys my daughter played with last summer. When we call, she’s given a tour of her toys. Spare a thought for my Dad who makes a trip to the loft every time! Seeing Nannie playing with a toy kitchen while her granddaughter gives out strict instructions makes me very happy. You would never know they are 3,310 miles apart! As simple as it sounds, I feel this virtual play offers an important emotional connection and sense of continuity during the global pandemic.

Playdates with her DC friends work well too. Virtual hide and seek is always a winner.

Bedtime story with Granny

I was initially apprehensive about screens just before bed. We use a laptop instead of a phone and dim the lights. Then we ring my Mum who, bless her soul, sits up until after midnight at least twice a week. They now share their own “in” jokes about what they’ve read and Granny’s stories are much preferred to ours! My heart hurts a little when my daughter hugs the laptop to say goodnight. But I remind myself that it’s all building towards one giant real-life hug! This has been our biggest lockdown success and a tradition I plan to continue indefinitely.

Snail mail letter writing

I love to send letters! A trip to the post office is one of my favourite things to do and our local postie is my hero. My children cannot escape! Writing and decorating letters is a great activity. Stickers are your friend—no envelope is safe. It’s lovely to see our creations appear on doorsteps all over the world. Even if the letter arrives four months later … long live the post!

Nighttime prayers

We say a wee prayer together for family and friends around the world plus Elvis the dog who lives next door! If praying isn’t your thing, a little chat about those closest to you works just as well. My hope is that this reminds my daughter that everyone is still out there, even if she hasn’t seen them for a while.

Through the emotional ebb and flow of the global pandemic, I remind myself that we are fortunate to remain in good health. Our families so far spared the devastating effects of COVID-19. I pray that we will be reunited sooner than we expect. In the meantime, we’ll keep in touch and when I hear my son’s contagious cackle, I know that his Granda is never too far away!