Perfect for the current climate when the real life grandmother probably isn’t allowed to visit, Helen Higgins has founded Grandma’s House Online – a service that offers an online Grandma for anyone that needs one.
“When we were children, most of us would have loved to have had one of our grandparents readily available. To read to us, make up stories with our toys, or show us how to cook a cake. Or even to show us how to build an electric train set!” said Helen. “That is exactly what www.grandmashouseonline.com is all about.”
Online Grandma is also for the parents
But it’s not just about the kids. Grandma’s House Online is also a way for parents to get some much needed ‘time out’. Your online Grandma will occupy the little ones while you snatch some time to do some of those tricky jobs. Or maybe even to relax for a moment!
“We’re living in challenging times right now. Families are together 24/7 for the foreseeable future and that is something most of us have never prepared for. Now that ‘real’ grandparents can no longer pop in for a few hours to entertain the kids and give you some time on your own, what could be better than having an online Grandma or Granddad who can pop up at the press of a button and keep them occupied?”
Grandma’s House Online also has a Vimeo ‘On Demand’ page where Higgins has pre-recorded herself reading twenty beautifully illustrated books. Each book focuses on sensitive issues, from accepting new additions to the family, feeling anxious, coping with change and being overly competitive to finding treasure in unexpected places, the importance of friendship and the need to sometimes be a bit adventurous.
“Being a grandmother, even if it is an online one, isn’t restricted to reading stories. The Grandma’s House Online YouTube channel shows your children how to knit, cook and do various craft projects. With the aid of animations and beautiful illustrations, she also tells stories to engage your child.”
As Walt Disney said, “always include a little bit of magic in whatever you do” and Higgins keeps this firmly in mind with her stories; including the one where you find teddy bears and a giraffe playing in the garden!
For more on managing family during the lockdown, try Free online resources from Sesame Street during coronavirus pandemic and Corona Corner: Coronavirus facts for families.
