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Ways to Stay Connected When Your Child Is Away
Author: Hillary Marshall
Co-parenting a child is one of the most difficult aspects of single parenting. It is hard sending your kids away to spend time with their other parent. Although you know it is good for them, you miss them like crazy and they miss you too. However, there are many ways that you can connect with your child when they are away from you.
A Picture Says a Thousand Words....
Let your child take a picture or video of you or both of you together with them. If they are little, you can put it in a stuffed animal with a photo frame. You can find stuffed animals with soft frames that can even go in bed with your child. If they are older you can make or buy a special frame.
Reach Out and Touch Them....
Talk with your ex ahead of time about an appropriate time for a daily phone call. This way you can hear all about your child's day and they can hear your voice. Don't dwell too much on the fact that you are apart, often this can create or exacerbate homesickness. Just try and have a fun and casual conversation so you can stay connected.
Give Them a Piece of You.....
Let your child take something from home on their visit. They can take their pillow or a special blanket. Often the smell of home is comforting to them when they start to feel homesick. Some kids even like taking something of yours with them like a t-shirt. They can wear it as a nightgown or just cuddle with it at bedtime.
Put it in Words....
Older children that can read really like exchanging letters when they are away from home. You can send them things they like with the letters, almost like a care package. If your child doesn't go away long enough for letter writing, you can still write them a note. Give them one telling them how much they mean to you and let them keep it in their suitcase or overnight bag. Then, they can read the note if they ever get sad or miss you.
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