A Doting Relationship via Technology

Foundation for Early Learning is delighted to feature a guest blog post from Eileen Simmons, Director at Everett Public Libraries, a member of the Early Learning Public Library Partnership. If you are interested in being featured in the Foundation's blog, please contact Joel Ballezza, Communications Manager at joel@earlylearning.org.

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By Eileen Simmons, Director at Everett Public Libraries

When my son was born more than 30 years ago we lived within ten miles of his paternal grandparents. He was their 13th grandchild, so you might think they would have been a bit blasé about the whole experience. But they doted on Patrick. He was the only grandchild who had ever lived so close, and because of that they participated in his daily life in a way that hadn’t been possible with any of the others. They babysat, visited, read to him, and played with him. The three of them had what I would call a mutual admiration society, and he remained close to them even though we moved away when he was seven.

Now I’m a grandmother, with a grandson who lives 3,000 miles away. I have been happy to realize that technology allows me to remain in closer contact than the miles between us otherwise permit.  My daughter-in-law keeps a blog, posting photos, new words, food likes and dislikes, and just general baby news. We also have the occasional video chat. At 16 months, he doesn’t yet know there’s a live person behind that image on the screen, but it’s fun to see him even so. They change so fast and learn so much when they’re little. Watching his progress via the Internet is better than the still photographs my parents had to make do with, and I am delighted all over again with every new blog post. 

I don’t know how this online relationship will change as he gets older, but I am hoping it will allow us to develop a closer relationship than we would have had otherwise. I’ll keep you posted!

-Eileen Simmons

Director, Everett Public Libraries