Challenges to Long Distance Parenting

Not all families have perfect situation. There are times that parents are not there in their nurturing phases. Some have to live in the moments when parents are not there due to certain circumstances. One of those circumstances that is rampant right now is Long Distance Parenting. Often fathers, get out of the country to pursue greener pastures just to be able to provide a good life for their families back home. Although as time progresses technology has quickly bridged the gap between the parent and their loved ones

Stay in Touch 

Before snail mail was the ultimate communication tool. Sometimes parents tape record their voices and send them to their loved ones just to be sure that their absence is not felt. It is easy if the children are just toddlers. They have no idea if their father is not
around because their familiarity is not yet developed. Once the kid reaches the age that he or she is able to think and be familiar with his or her surroundings, then the situation becomes more challenging. The parent or guardian assigned has to explain why a parent is missing. It involves a lot of storytelling and even white lies to protect the child from what is really happening. So, communication with them daily somehow can tame this challenge.
Although if one can’t avoid it then at least communication with a loved one right now is more convenient and cheaper than the traditional snail mail process. Phone calls would still be expensive, but if one wants to hear the voice of a loved one then so be it. Although there are some instant messaging devices like Yahoo and Skype that allows loved ones to communicate on a daily basis for free. Investing in a desktop computer or a lap top with a web camera is worth it. One can be able to chat with a loved one twenty four hours a day seven days a week for free. It all depends on the time zone that the parent is living in. One must be able to adjust on the hours to spend some time on the internet just to catch a glimpse of the family member.

Social Networking is the Best Way

Before parents have no idea on how their children looks like as they get older, and they are not updated with their activities in school or work. Thanks to Social Networking sites like Facebook, Multiply, Flickr and many more. Parents and the kids are able to post their photos anywhere in the world at anytime of the day. At least both sides can be updated on what’s happening between them in their lives. Before it takes awhile to send photos of their loved ones, at least right now thanks to the digital camera you can capture as much priceless moments and be able to post them quickly in those social networking sites.

Gifts is a Good Idea       
Christmas and Birthdays are special occasions that it is a mortal sin that parent should not miss. Providing children with cool and special gifts on these special occassions is a good way to curb their distant approach.  Today giving children gifts would not be a problem as there are plenty of Ecommerce website available out there like Amazon, E-bay which provide you options on sending gifts safely and with less hassle. It definitely saves your time to find that perfect gift. At the touch of the button you can find it and send it quickly.

Of course the hardest part of parenting is being able to communicate with your children. As one gets older there are certain issues that a father, mother or both could not be there to be able to handle it. As much as possible parents should be able to aware of what’s happening with their children. One must be up to date with the popular culture because this is where their kids get most of their information, not only in school. Different children have different interests and we should learn from them and also we should care them.

It seems that if you’re not around your child then it is a great sign that you really care for them. It is all about adjusting and compromising with your kids. It is part of the learning process on learning how to deal with your kids. It is not like before the traditional one sided approach that the parent is right and the children are wrong.
In any rate, long distance parenting is a huge challenge. One must be thankful that right now communicating both sides becomes more convenient and cheap unlike the old days. It is more right now of spending much time and be able to communicate with them as much as possible. Work would always be there, but spending quality time and having that parent-child bond would always be priceless.

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