Definition of Gramping: A special trip where grandparents and grandchildren vacation or travel together without the ‘Mid-Gen’ (parents) as a way to enhance and strengthen intergenerational bonds. While doing so, they share quality time and create lasting memories.
Gramping - A Fun Adventure
Skip-Generation Travel
This new travel trend has recently become popular, even though it is something that has been around for generations, long before someone gave a ‘name’ to it. :)
Gramping trips can be as simple as a day trip to a local museum, or as extensive as a journey to another country. There is no limit to the length and type of trips ‘gramps/grams’ and ‘grands’ can take together. The nicest part of ‘gramping’ is the focus it puts on grandparent-grandchild relationships.
Sharing My ‘Gramping’ Memories As Examples of What Gramping Can Be
My Childhood Gramping Experience
When I was 14 (quite a few decades ago) and my brother was 13, my grandparents took us on a trip to New York City. My grandfather had a business meeting, but the rest of the time was exploring an amazing city we had never seen. To this day I remember every single moment of that trip, from the train ride from our home in western New York State to the unbelievable immensity of Grand Central Station, to the ride on the Staten Island Ferry, to seeing the Statue of Liberty, to viewing the city from the top of the Empire State Building. Memories, indeed, remain with you for a lifetime.
My Children’s Childhood Gramping Experiences
When my own children were growing up, my parents decided that they wanted to spend individual time with each of my three youngsters. They picked age 12 as a time old enough to fly alone and flew my oldest son from our home (at that time) in South Carolina to their home in New York State. He spent a month with the grandparents and loved every minute of his trip.
In their time, his brother and sister had similar trips with the grandparents.
Me, as a Grandmother
One afternoon my DIL Kathie and I were chatting and Ryan came into the room to listen in. He kept interrupting with little funny lines as only young teenagers can do. Finally, his mom said (in mock frustration), “why don’t you just take Ryan back home with you”. I looked over at my grandson; he looked at me, and I thought ‘why not?’. So I said ‘OK’. It was all sort of ‘off the cuff’, but the more we all thought about it, it really did sound like a good idea. After a few discussions to work out details, at the end of my visit, Ryan came back to Georgia with me for over three weeks.
As it turned out, he was a really fun travel companion and good company. We first drove from Iowa to my daughter’s place in St. Louis, staying overnight so Ryan could see the famous St. Louis Arch and get to visit with his Aunt & Uncle. Then back home in coastal Georgia, we had many days of beach time on Tybee Island, daily swims in my apartment pool, day trips to Savannah to see the sights, visit museums, eat out, and more. Evenings we played games and visited and planned what we would do the next day. He was an absolute joy to have around. I know Ryan enjoyed his trip as much as I enjoyed his company because nearly 10 years later he is still talking about it.
At the end of the visit, I was on my way to Ohio to visit another son and met Ryan’s parents half-way to return him. A very happy and satisfying ‘gramping’ trip on both sides.
Summary
If you ever get the opportunity to spend individual ‘gramping’ time (short or long) with your grandparent/grandchild, do not pass it up. You will never regret it.
PS: Gramping can also refer to a type of family holiday where grandparents, parents, and children (three generations) go camping or on a similar holiday together. But the most special moments, for both grandparent and grandchild, is when just these two generations spend time together.
*Gramping Trips review written by Wednesday Elf
+Intro and Second Image are created with AI. Third image is a personal photo by Wednesday Elf
'Gramping' - Grandchildren/Grandparent Adventures
Your first gramping trip with Ryan sounds positively magical! I had a chance to stay with my grandparents in Florida several summers and remember those visits very fondly.
ReplyDeleteI remember a child taking the train all by myself to go stay with my grandparents. They lived about an hour away from us. Great memories.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I have ever heard the term "gramping". I have lots of wonderful memories of summer weeks with my own grandmother. My own children spent lots of time/vacations with their grandparents. It is a fabulous, unforgettable time in a child's life.
ReplyDelete