Last week I blogged about the traditional activities we learn from our grandparents…knitting, gardening, cooking, and woodworking. But this week, the tables are turned. In this high tech age, I think the older generation is benefiting from the knowledge of the younger generation.

I am lucky enough to live in the same town as my mother. She is gracious enough to watch our kids from time to time. The other evening I came home to quite the amusing and wonderful scene. My seven year old was snuggled up next to her grandmother on the couch demonstrating the method for the “five-finger close” on my mother’s newly acquired iPad.

As I worked to put my kitchen back in order from the craziness of the day, I continued to eavesdrop on the tablet tutorial occurring across the room. My second grader’s class has a set of iPads and she has been through “training” workshops. (This is what my daughter proudly announces as a perfectly legitimate parallel to her father’s work day!)

So my youngest continued to guide her grandmother through the subtle nuances of the tablet they held together. This session included tips on changing the weather location…Grandma was somehow stuck on a state a few time zones away…bookmarking, and purchasing new apps. Of course, like any good grandparent/grandchild spoiling moment, this ended in the purchase of that cupcake cooking app that kids adore. They laughed over frosting choices and sprinkles.

So it may not be as traditional as a knitting lesson, but it definitely is a bonding experience between generations. As a mom, I often bristle at the foothold technology has taken in our day to day lives, but this was a pleasant reminder about all the good opportunities technology can bring as well.

How have you and your families used technology for bonding experiences? I’d love to hear from you!