Grandparents find a creative way to social distance

THE SHIP IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE MONDAY. THIS PERIOD OF SOCIAL DISTANCING HAS PRESENTED CHALLENGES FOR MANY FAMILIES. NEW TONIGHT, OUR WANDA STARKE TELLS US ABOUT A NORTH CAROLINA COUPLE WHO FOUND A UNIQUE WAY TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH THEIR GRANDCHILD. >> AS DIRECTOR OF CONGREGATIONAL CARE AT A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, MARGARET FROTHINGHAM KNOWS FIRST HAND HOW PARISHIONERS ARE ADJUSTING AND FINDING UNIQUE WAYS TO CONNECT DURING THE CONONA VIRUS CRISI >> ONE FAMILY INVITED AN OLDER ADULT TO HAVE CHURCH IN THE DRIVEWAY LAST SUNDAY. REPORTER: AS A GRANDMOTHER MARGARET HAS HAD TO ADJUST TO NEW RULES OF SOCIAL DISTANCING. UP UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, HER ONE-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER ROUTINELY SPENT ONE OR TWO NIGHTS AT HER HOME. >> WE HAVE NOT TOUCHED CHARLOTTE IN AT LEAST TWO WEEKS. MAYBE LONGER. REPORTER: BUT MARGARET’S HUSBAND WHO HAPPENS TO BE AN INFECTIOUS DISEASES PHYSICIAN, FOUND A CREATIVE WAY FOR THEM TO STAY CONNECTED, IN PERSON, >> HE MADE A PVC PIPE SIX FEET LONG. THE NICE THING ABOUT THE PIPE IS IT IS CLEANABLE. WHEN THE GRANDPARENTS ARE NOT WALKING WITH CHARLOTTE, THEY ARE WEEDING. >> WE STAND OUT IN THE YARD. WE WEED AND TALK. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW TOOK A PICTURE OF IT AND IT KIND OF WENT VIRAL ON FACEBOOK. REPORTER: MARGARET SAYS THE CORONAVIRUS PRESENTS A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US, BUT ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CONNECTIONS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. >> I THINK IT IS A GREAT TIME FOR PEOPLE TO REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER, TO SIT AND THINK ABOUT WHO COMES TO MIND. INSTEAD OF WAITING TO BE CALLED, TO BE SOMEBODY WHO CAN CALL. REPORT

Across the U.S., grandparents are finding creative ways to social distance during the coronavirus threat. As director of congregational care at a Presbyterian church, Margaret Frothingham knows firsthand how parishioners are adjusting and finding unique ways to connect with each other and their faith during this uncertain time. As a grandmother, Frothingham is still learning the rules of social distancing.Up until a few weeks ago, her 1-year-old granddaughter routinely spent one or two nights a week at her house.Frothingham's husband, an infectious disease physician, found a creative way for them to be together in person: a PVC pipe.The pipe is six feet long and cleanable. It allows them to interact one-on-one with Charlotte.When the grandparents aren't walking with Charlotte, they're weeding in the garden together."I bring my gloves and my weeding tool and we stand out in the yard and she toddles around and we weed and we talk," Frothingham said.Frothingham said while the virus creates a challenge for each person, the new situations also give us opportunities to make connections and a difference."I think it’s a great time for people to reach out to each other, to sit and think about who comes to mind and instead of waiting to be called, to be someone who can call," Frothingham said.Watch the video above to learn more about this story.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —

Across the U.S., grandparents are finding creative ways to social distance during the coronavirus threat.

As director of congregational care at a Presbyterian church, Margaret Frothingham knows firsthand how parishioners are adjusting and finding unique ways to connect with each other and their faith during this uncertain time.

As a grandmother, Frothingham is still learning the rules of social distancing.

Up until a few weeks ago, her 1-year-old granddaughter routinely spent one or two nights a week at her house.

Frothingham's husband, an infectious disease physician, found a creative way for them to be together in person: a PVC pipe.

The pipe is six feet long and cleanable. It allows them to interact one-on-one with Charlotte.

When the grandparents aren't walking with Charlotte, they're weeding in the garden together.

"I bring my gloves and my weeding tool and we stand out in the yard and she toddles around and we weed and we talk," Frothingham said.

Frothingham said while the virus creates a challenge for each person, the new situations also give us opportunities to make connections and a difference.

"I think it’s a great time for people to reach out to each other, to sit and think about who comes to mind and instead of waiting to be called, to be someone who can call," Frothingham said.

Watch the video above to learn more about this story.

Grandparents find a creative way to social distance

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