It’s never ideal to be separated from your children – but electronics have made it easier for parents to interact with their kids across great distances.
In recent years, virtual visitation has become a handy tool for divorced parents who want to maintain and strengthen their bonds with their children, even when they can’t be there.
So, how do you use Facetime, Skype or some other virtual connection to spend meaningful time with your children? Here are some suggestions:
Have virtual storytime
Reading a bedtime story to your children can be a treasured memory for you both, and it can help your child feel deeply connected to you. Whether you read the kids “The Hobbit” or you let your child read their picture books to you, storytime is a great way to make virtual visitations worthwhile.
Homework support
Is your child a little older? If they’re in school and they have homework, there’s no reason that you can’t be there to help them – even if you’re miles away. Use your virtual visitation time to walk your child through their math problems or help them figure out a good science fair project.
Talent shows
Is your child creative or musical? Use your virtual visitation to ask for a private performance on their clarinet or flute, or have them show you what they’re learning in art class. Your children may appreciate the fact that they have your undivided attention when they show you what they can do.
Take a tour
The great thing about modern electronics is that they’re very portable – so use that fact to your advantage. Take your child on a tour of the place you are staying, the neighborhood or the nearby walking park. That helps bring them into your world and can create new talking points that will help you learn more about each other.
It’s important to think of virtual visitation as an opportunity to get to know your children better – not just a workaround for your physical separation. If it’s not already woven into your parenting plan, it may be time to review that agreement.