Grandaughter Moving Out

I haven't been through this. However, I would have the daughter comfort her and let her know that they have their own place now, but grandma is close and she can spend the nights on occasion--maybe weekends. It can be something she would look forward to. She'll know things are changing, but she doesn't have to give up the overnights totally.

If you have the time go and put her to bed for few nights, making sure to reassure you will be close by but at the same time helping her adjust to her new surroundings. take something special for her room to know its from you may help. Moving is always hard for kids, contrary to what people believe that kids are easy to adjust to new surroundings, they are not, it just doesnt take as long for them to adjust, but it is still hard on them.

Go see her!! She just needs to know you are still there for her and still love her, still part of her life, even though you don't live together anymore. Bless you for being such an important part of your grandchildren's lives.

How about a "goodnight" phone call before bed?

Or maybe a "good morning" call?

Best wishes.

I would think a visit is in order. You're right -- kids are amazingly resilient and she'll be fine but it's clear she loves and misses you. I would visit or have her over for some special one-on-one time and just remind her that you love her very much and that you're still "there" for her if she needs you. Then focus on HOW EXCITING it is to have a new house -- where she can meet new friends and have her own space and explore! Ask questions about the mail carrier and do any neighbors have dogs that bark and are there any hills to roll down? Has she met any other kids yet? Which room is hers? Will she plant some flowers for Spring in her new yard? Where?...

Hi G..
Here is what I would do: I would look for a teddy bear with a recording device so that your grandbaby can squeeze it and hear a message from you. Also, can you schedule a play date? If it is on a schedule that is consistant, then maybe your granddaughter would not have so much anxiety about you being out of sight... It so sweet that she loves you so much! But I know you don't want her to be nervous all the time about why you are not there...
Good Luck!
S.

You might make some audio tapes of songs and/or bedtime stories, so that the little girl could hear from you whenever she has the need? S. Berryhill

See her briefly every day for awhile. Then move to every other day to get her used to the change gradually. Put your picture in her room. Have her call you on the days she does not see you or use a webcam and Skype on the computer. It is very important for her to know you have not disappeared. At 2 she needs security especially with change.

my husband is deployed adn we got my daughter a "Daddy doll" i think they are called hug a hero or something like that. but you can get them with anyone's picture on them. they are great. you could get one of grandma and then she can go to sleep with grandma or if she wakes up at night she can have her gandma doll with her

hi,my name is M. w ,i have 3 boys and married for 18years.my husband and i also lived with my mom for a time after we were married.mom would call at bed time talk maybe say bed time prayers.when mom was off from work he was able to stay the nite.most of all my son was able to talk to her when he missed her.you could also try spending the nite at her house like a special sleep over.maybe a picture of you beside her bed letting her know your always watching over her.good luck and god bless

Gerry I went through the same thing with our daughter and granddaughter living with us for many years. They are now on their own thankfully. I definitely think you need to do everything you can to stay very closely connected to this little granddaughter. She lived with you and now you are not there and to a small child there can be a feeling of abandonment. God bless you and good luck. M.

Oh, I know that is so very hard. I would visit her often and tell her how excited you are about her house with her mommy and daddy! Tell her this is her special house with mommy and daddy. She probably misses the place she knows as home. I think if your daughter would visit with the grandbaby a lot that would help. She will grow out of it but it may help if you go to their house maybe every evening to visit and if you can't visit, call and tell her everything is okay. I live in Europe and when we visit here we stay with my parents. My 2 year old is very attached to my mom and it breaks my heart when we go back because she wants to see my mom. We talk on skype every night and we honestly tell her what is happening. We also have a calendar and count down the days together until we come back here.

When my mother lived with us and then moved out, our boys would call her each night. They were used to hugging her goodnight, etc. It really helped them.

I would let her come spend the night on Friday. That way, she has the best of both worlds.
Good luck!

maybe you can give her a special stuffed animal.special from you to sleep with and or cuddle when she misses you.Or a short phone call 15 min or so before bedtime.