How to Survive a Long-Distance Relationship with Your Children
From: eHow
Relocation is becoming more and more common in our mobile society. Divorce is also very common. What happens when a divorced mom or dad wants or needs to move? Usually there is a court proceeding and if the court allows the move, one parent has to deal with a long-distance relationship
with their child. Here are some ways to remain involved in your child’s life, be an active parent and stay close at heart-no matter how far you are physically. These tips can also help you foster your child’s development.
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Step 1
Call or write your ex-wife or husband and tell them how much you want to remain involved in your child’s life. Discuss these activities with your ex and ask them to help you by structuring time for your child to partake in these activities. Ask her or him to allow your child access to the internet and a library. Hopefully, your ex is a reasonable person and wants what is best for your child and will hop on the boat. In relocation cases that go to trial, judges are less likely to permit a parent to move if she or he does not reasonably communicate with the child’s other parent. If you are currently involved in a relocation case, be sure to ask the judge to order time for you to do these activities with your child.
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Step 2
Sign up for a free Skype account for some math fun. Skype allows you to video and instant message chat with someone through the internet. E-mail your child’s teacher and ask what they are currently working on in math. You can type math questions to your child and they can answer through video chat. You can even set up a contest. If your child answers a certain amount of questions correctly, send them a prize in the mail.
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Step 3
Start a mini book club. Find a book on your child’s reading level. Ask them (or your ex) to get a copy of the book or send them one in the mail. You can both read the book and then discuss it on the phone. You can ask your child to draw a picture of her favorite part to send you in the mail.
When your child visits you can give them a chapter book to read (you read it too) while they are away. When they come for their next visit you can discuss the story over milk and cookies.