The Era of Meeting Family Online

When children grow up and get married, it's natural for a mother to want them to settle down and live nearby. Not necessarily in the same zip code, but it would be nice if they were at least in the same state. But, alas, life doesn't always go the way you want.

Such is the case with my oldest daughter who lives in Rhode Island with her husband and, as of June 19, her newborn son, who is my first grandchild. While I am happily posting this hub from Rhode Island, I am still new to the role of grandma-hood...let alone long distance grandma-hood. The truth be told, I am a little nervous about what happens once I leave in a few days.

My problem is, I live in California. No, this is not an editorial or political statement. But it is a problem, because a weekend jaunt to visit the east coast will cost around $500 in airfare and two whole travel days.

Another problem is, babies have a tendency to change and grow way too fast. My biggest problem, is that I am afraid that I will be missing all of that. How do I bond with this child? Will he grow up to view me as one of those strange relatives that he dreads seeing on holidays once a year? The memories of my own maternal grandmother brings up the aroma of Aquanet hairspray and cigarettes. Jeez, I hope not. Good thing I don't smoke and am into yoga.

Well, where there's a will there's a way, and thank goodness we live in the 21st century. Normally I shun the constant text messaging that the kids are addicted to, but when the techology is available to help close the 3,000 mile gap between me any my daughter's family, I have to pay attention.

In the era of instant-everything, I know I can leverage technology in my favor. Sure, I plan to accrue a vast amount of frequent flyer miles, but in the meantime, in the day to day, I plan to be a part of my sweet grandson's life through digital technology.

Camera phones are so prevalent and easy to use. Most of us feel like it's become another anatomical appendage that we never go anywhere without it. Good thing, because my son-in-law was able to transmit photos within minutes of my grandbaby's birth.

Webcams are probably the best way to see family live - via digital feed. My son-in-law got one so that I won't miss a single coo or facial twitch.

Websites. Thanks to a friend, I just discovered another website designed especially for new parents to show off their babies without having to repeatedly e-mail family and friends. It's called babyjellybeans and it allows parents to upload photos of the kids on a website. The pages are password protected, so only family is given access. Everyone can post comments and see a growth chart of the little tyke(s).

Well, like I said, life doesn't always go the way you want, and your children don't always stay where you want. But in the end, nothing will stop us from being a family - even from so far away.