>>We don't hear much about the role of grandparents anymore, but it's huge.
>>Where grandparents are on the scene there's a lot less stress, especially when both parents (if there are two) are working.
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>Yeah, it's great when they're around and worth having around. But once again, not everyone has that option. As you know, my mother's parents died in Auschwitz. We saw my father's parents a few times a year as we were in Philly and they were in DC.
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>I actually think it's a lot easier to be a good long-distance grandparent today with Skype and email and other technology that lets you stay in close communication, even if you're far away.

A friend of mine is married to an Australian girl, and they both live here in Norway with two small daughters. His parents in law told him and his wife that they felt a much closer connection to their grandchildren in Norway which they see in person once per year, compared to their other grandchildren who live less than half an hour's drive away. All thank to Skype.