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As we move into the holiday season, trying to celebrate with younger relatives who spend a lot of time on their devices can feel intimidating at best.
If you regularly see the faces of your grandchildren staring at a cell phone screen, you are not alone. According to Fortune, teens are spending the equivalent of a 40-hour work week on their devices. And tweens are spending 5.5 hours on their devices daily. This does not include the time spent in school, where kids are using Chromebooks to complete assignments.
Relating to younger loved ones may seem daunting given the technology takeover, but it is important for all of us. A treasure trove of research shows that intergenerational bonding is good for everyone along the age spectrum. It can help reduce loneliness in older adults and build social and emotional skills in children, as well as improve mood and self-esteem for all. It can also dismantle some of the negative stereotypes associated with age and cultivate a sense of fulfillment.
So, how can we engage with our young relatives in a way that feels relevant today?
Cook up some fun. For a budding chef, initiate a bake-off with a couple of favorite holiday recipes. Cooking and baking are popular themes for reality television shows and may entice kids who have a competitive spirit. Post a photo online when your creations are fresh out of the oven. Does distance prevent you from spending in-person time together? Try meeting up in a virtual cooking class.
Get groovy. Do you have a history lover? Plan a mid-70s day of fun. Since cell phones don’t exist, put them away. Ride bikes, shop for items for your Thanksgiving meal, rake leaves, or look at old family photo albums. Dig up some bell bottoms. Discuss “current events” or create a time capsule.
Build a playlist of favorite songs. Sharing music can be a powerful way to communicate with young people and to learn what they value. Ask about the music apps they use, listen to their favorite songs, and share yours. Build a playlist to listen to whenever you spend time together and update it as you discover new songs.
Volunteer together. Spend a couple of hours passing out water during a Turkey Trot. Organize canned goods at a food pantry. Collect items for toy or clothing donations or make holiday cards to give to a nonprofit organization. Make a quick video of your activity to send to mom or dad.
Whether you consider yourself a technophobe or a digital grandma, opportunities abound for building better relationships with our younger loved ones if you are willing to meet them where they are.
Editor’s note: The stories on this page were submitted by Leigh-Anne Lees, community relations director for Valley Program for Aging Services.
