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{The Ordinary Moments} #20 - Saturday morning skype

7/13/2014

18 Comments

 
It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that one of the hardest things about raising a child abroad is being separated from grandparents. They go for months without seeing the Bean grow up at break-neck speed and, though it may sound selfish, we have to go without a little extra help most of the time.

Of course, when we do see each other it’s extra-special for everyone. Which is not to be sniffed at when the alternative could be a rushed visit on a Sunday afternoon. We’ve also found ourselves sticking to a fun keep-in-touch ritual:

Skyping on a Saturday morning
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Glued to grandma on the screen
It works perfectly. Bean wakes up early, Mr P&P’s parents wake up early. After a whole week without news, they’re dying to know what new and stupendously clever tricks he’s learned. After a whole week with boring old us, he’s dying for someone else’s unwavering attention.

And of course, they oblige. They make virtual coffee together and sing songs. The Bean dances for them and demonstrates the new words he’s learned.
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The view from the other side
The grandparents ignore us completely because, well, our week was probably as predictably work-filled as theirs. So we get some easy Bean-tainment and a sit down, or time to clear up the debris from breakfast.

I don’t think he understands the concept of talking to someone who’s not there - I’ve seen him try to hand them something or look behind the screen. Moments like that, when he’s clearly a bit confused, obviously tug at my motherly guilt strings.
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Here, have a block
Nevertheless, I can’t imagine a life without these video calls. Can’t imagine what it must have been like to yell down a crackly phone line once a month, to have to wait long seconds for the other person to even hear you, never mind reply. 

Video calls are in no way a substitute for real-life grandma & grandpa time, but I think it helps. It helps with the knowing and remembering. It helps with the missing, after we’ve been there or they’ve been here. 

The Saturday morning skype calls are a habit we’ve fallen into unintentionally, but they are now such a lovely part of our weekends that I’m certain all five of us look forward to them!

*For the record, we also skype regularly with the other set of grandparents! We just don't have a routine for it :-)

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18 Comments
Potty Mouthed Mummy link
7/13/2014 03:27:54 am

Ahhh lovely, it's wonderful what technology can do for us. When I had a week away for work, skype kept me going!!!

Lovely moments x

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:08:23 am

Yes, hurray for technology! These kids are growing up at such an amazing time - the Bean is so used to video calls that ordinary phone calls really confuse him. Where is the image?!

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Hayley from Home link
7/13/2014 03:56:12 am

It's such a great way to keep in touch and must be lovely for them to see him doing new things, as he grows up he will understand more and look forward to seeing them #theordinarymoments

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:10:02 am

It's lovely to see his face light up when he sees them, but I do look forward to the day he remembers the routine, understands they're not there physically but always happy to talk to him, etc.

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Donna link
7/13/2014 07:12:18 am

It must be so hard staying in regular contact with family and making sure they don't miss out on too much. Your regular Saturday morning Skype routine sounds perfect! x

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:11:29 am

I think they do inevitably miss out on a lot of things, but the Skype routine really does help! That, and the fact he's a little show-off and loves demonstrating his new tricks :-)

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Katie @mummydaddyme link
7/13/2014 08:31:11 am

Aw so cute, I love their view, how smiley! I can imagine how hard it is and how much you all miss each other. Although not the same as abroad my husband's family live a few hours from us and we don't see them that often. We also do weekly Skype calls to catch up on the action! x

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:13:36 am

It's far enough, I'm sure - kids change so fast so it's hard to keep track of it all. Great that you can catch up with your husband's side of the family this way too.

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Jenny link
7/13/2014 10:32:54 pm

I can so relate to this being an expat family ourselves. With an eight hour time difference we have to set a routine as well as it's super hard to get us all on normal hours and talking on facetime together. It's hard without that extra help I know the feeling with two small ones and sad that they don't get to watch them grow up and be more a part of their daily lives but how amazing is technology that it helps us keep up as best we can in between visits. I couldn't live so far without facetime. I love that my parents get to chat with my two and watch them play and because it's free we are not restricted on time limits either so they can hang out we all can have coffee and chat as a family together. What a lovely ordinary moment to capture. Love the photos too! So cute. #ordinarymoments

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:16:22 am

I knew you'd understand, Jenny :-) You're so right about how hard it is not to have grandparents be part of our daily lives. It makes me sad too, but as you say, thank goodness for the amazing technology at our disposal! And yes, the times when we're all just hanging out doing normal things, and one person simply happens to be on a screen, are the best. So natural, so cosy and family-like.

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Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) link
7/14/2014 05:56:59 pm

Awwww this is the same situation in my household. I love how my son drops my sister's name in random conversation like she lives next door. Thanks to skype for that =) #ordinarymoments

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:19:18 am

That's so cute! My nephew, who almost four, is the same.

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Super Busy Mum link
7/15/2014 02:16:41 am

Aww love this post! We have Grandparents that live away too and Skype each weekend to them both ourselves. Its really fun and as you say, its in no way a substitute for them being here in person, but it's the next best thing! x

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/15/2014 08:20:23 am

It is really fun, isn't it? Especially as our Bean really acts up to the camera!

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Ritz link
7/15/2014 12:43:08 pm

I agree with every word you wrote there! My parents and in-laws live abroad and its the hardest thing not to have them around my children ...sometimes i long for there hug and envy everyone who got grandparents around to pop in for nursery functions! xx

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/17/2014 03:19:51 am

I know, it is really hard and I get very envious of anyone who has the grandparents around too... Especially here in Italy where grandparents seem to take on a huge amount of childcare!

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Seychellesmama link
7/16/2014 03:42:25 am

Ahhh Skype the expat family's best friend!!! I really don't think we could manage without it!!! Love that they make virtual coffee together it's so adorable! X

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Eline @ Pasta & Patchwork link
7/17/2014 03:20:58 am

It is very cute to watch, and even better when he then remembers what button to press on the machine when we're over at theirs!

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