Divorce ushers in countless new challenges and adjustments to family dynamics. However, whether your children are hundreds of miles away or merely a short drive down the road, parenting from a distance can prove difficult for both parents and children to cope with.
While you’d always be near your children in an ideal world, life is full of unexpected events that may not always allow for this. But despite any distance, both parents need to have an active role in their child’s life for the child’s overall well-being. Fortunately, with a little flexibility and effort, today it’s easier than ever to stay connected to your children no matter where they’re located.
Maintain a consistent communication schedule
Even when you’re far away, you can establish trust with your child by creating a regular communication schedule and sticking to it. Since you can’t be physically present in your kids’ day-to-day lives, it’s essential that you set aside time for them and show up so that you can still feel involved in each other’s lives. Be sure to ask them about specific activities or events on their calendar and follow up on them when you can’t be there.
Take advantage of technology
These days there is no shortage of ways you can keep in touch with your children. There are countless ways to have a presence in your child’s world, from text messages and video chats to social media. Even if you can’t talk every day, you can send them images, play games together online or stream television together from anywhere in the world.
Consider creative arrangements
Traditional visitation agreements don’t always work when you’re living far away from your kids. However, with some flexibility and creativity, you and your ex-spouse can devise a visitation schedule that works for your unique needs.Many long-distance co-parents will plan visitations for more extended periods, such as over the child’s summer vacation or holiday breaks from school. Parents may also consider scheduling visits to the town their child resides in for opportunities to be involved in their day-to-day life.
Long-distance parenting isn’t without its challenges. It’s hard for the entire family to adapt to spending less time together physically. However, with a little bit of effort, you can ensure you maintain a strong and healthy relationship with your child and stay up to date on the things that matter the most to them.