The webcam - Bringing our family closer together

Growing up with grandparents on the other side of the province and across the pond in England meant we didn't get to see them very often. We saw my Nan and Pop maybe a couple of times a year at most and my grandparents, well, maybe three or four times. That I remember anyway. As a result, we didn't really know them. We knew my Nan and Pop, but my Grandma and Grandpy, not really. When we did see them, it would take a little time to warm up to them before we felt comfortable. Only normal for a young person.


Charlotte & Harrison are lucky. They get to see all their grandparents at least twice each month. Their Nana and Poppy live in CBS, their Grand Dad and Mel in St. John's and their Nana and Grampsy in England. Wait, you say, Nana and Grampsy are in England? How do they see them every couple of weeks? Well, we use the webcam.

Talking to Nana and Grampsy

The webcam is an amazing thing. It brings families that are thousands of miles apart closer together. When we speak to Andrew's Mum and Stepdad, it's as if they're in the same room. We both have laptops, so we carry them around, showing Charlotte and Harrison in different situations around the house and they do the same. They get a cup of tea while chatting and show us the sun that's shining warmly and brightly on the 26th of February.

Nana

Charlotte has been speaking to Nana and Grampsy on the webcam since she was born. When she was a babe she'd just sit there but once she was old enough to recognize faces, she'd smile and laugh. Then, once she stared to talk, well, there was no stopping her. Sometimes she just sits there, other times she plays in the background, just listening to the conversation (much like her Mom) and then there are days like today where she takes over the webcam and Daddy can't get a word in edgewise.

Charlotte reading a book to Nana & Grampsy

Does it really make a difference? You bet. When we went to England when Charlotte was 2 years old, she ran to Nana and gave her a huge hug when we came out of customs at the airport. No child would do that to someone she'd only spoken to on the phone or seen pictures of. The fact we spoke to them right up until the weekend before we came over made a huge difference. There was no getting to know you time. She already knew her Nana and Grampsy.

Chatting with Grampsy

Andrew's Mum and his Nan are coming to visit in June. We're very excited. We've already told Charlotte and when we talk to them on the webcam we talk about the visit. I am sure as the time gets closer she'll get more excited and we'll be at the airport when the plane arrives and she'll be the first one to give Nana a hug.