How to Support Your Child from a Distance

If you are the parent of a child that lives more than 30 miles away from you, visiting them can present a challenge. You want to take a more active and supportive role in their lives but you know that the distance between the two of you prevents this. Distance can weigh down any relationship but it does not have to place a barrier between a parent and child. There are plenty of ways parents can support their child from a distance and some of those ways are listed below.

1. You can write your child letters. Writing letters may seem outdated because of the advancement in technology, but handwritten letters bring forth a certain sentiment that technology can't. You can send monthly letters to your child and the two of you can write back and forth like pen pals. Your child will look forward to your letters every month and will grow a connection to you.

2. You can send emails to your child. If your child can comfortably use a computer you might want to consider sending him an email. The great thing about emails is that they are sent to the recipient immediately, which makes response time much shorter than it would be if you were to use postal service. Young children are often fascinated with the internet and for this reason the internet may prove to be a more favorable platform for them to communicate with you.

3. You can instant message your child. An instant message allows people to text (send short messages) each other back and forth in real time. If you are at home in another state away from child, you can sign onto the instant messenger and chat with your child if she is home and online. Two of the most popular instant messaging services include AOL instant messenger otherwise known as AIM and Yahoo instant messenger.

4. You can send pictures to your child through the mail or email. Sending pictures is a great way for you to visibly see each other grow through the years. Pictures will also give your child something tangible to hold onto. Your child might place the pictures in a special scrapbook or box, or she might even hang them on her bedroom wall.

5. Connect with your child using a webcam. Many families use their webcam to stay connected with one another. The great thing about a web cam is that it will allow you to chat and see each other in real time which is amazing. Even if you are five states away you will still be able to see and talk to your child on the computer. You can establish a routine with your child such as talking with him on the webcam every night just before bed, you can eat dinner together in front of the webcam once a week, or if your child is younger you can read her a bedtime story.

6. Record update videos for your child. If you have a digital camera (with video recording capabilities) or a web cam, you can make videos of yourself talking to your child to update him on what has been going on in your life. You can film yourself commuting to work or on a walk around your neighborhood, so that your child can see what life is like where you live.

7. Financially support your child to the best of your ability. You might have legal arrangements made so that your child receives money on a monthly or weekly basis. As some children get older they need more money. You can personally send your child money or send money to the child's parent (if you are not already doing so.)You can send money through mail, wiring, paypal, money order or check.

8. You can send cards to your child. Cards are never too tacky to send out. There are a load of genius cards on the market that include; popular characters from movies and cartoons, recorded music, audio and sound. There are also cards that allow you to record a message of your own inside of them. You might want to consider sending cards on holidays, birthdays, when your child is sick, or has made an accomplishment.

9. Send your child souvenirs. If you live in another state you can send your child little souvenirs. Remember it is not about price but more about the thought that counts. Your child will be delighted that you thought about him.

10. You can skype your child. Skype is software that allows users to make voice and video calls online. Users can also hold video conferences and send instant message through skype. Certain parts of skype are free such as making voice and video calls to others who have skype. There is a small fee for using Skype voicemail, for making and receiving calls to landlines and mobiles, using voicemail.