How do you handle being away from your kids?

[anewbeginning]

I was discussing with a friend tonight about how hard it is being away from the kids and still being able to show them how much you care about them.

I came up with a few ideas. But the one I think he liked was maybe taking a little more time everyday and sending them each an email. Just for them. Maybe a video message. So they can see you.

I bought a friend of mine a small picture thing that he could load alot of pictures of his daughter on for christmas last year. He said it was the best gift he could get. I was thinking about how much he was missing her and how to bring her closer to him.

What other ideas do we have?

[tin_heart_gal]

I have a few ideas,
The digital photo frame is a good idea.

He could give them one as well, ask the kids to pick out their favorite photos and upload them, send it to him.

They could each get a disposable camera, take photos of heir favorite things, and swap them when they are full.

Letters or cards to each individual child is always a good idea.

I know when my ex was in the joint for the umpteenth time, he would
send pictures he drew to our son.

when my son as very young they would exchange letters.
my son would draw a picture to his dad and mail it off.
His dad would respond in kind with a hand drawn letter.

for the older kids, he can send them a pre paid cell phone,
or maybe some of those prepaid/refillable calling cards.

Then there are always the random phone calls, just to say " Hi, I love you, I miss you, was thinking about you"

Something that lets the child know he is thinking about them.
And not just on holidays.

My ex never calls unless he wants money, or unless it is on the holidays to talk to the kids.

How about a webcam? so they can IM each other and see each other whenever they want.
Maybe a Skype account? so they can do the video chat thing.

Maybe he could carve out n hour a couple of days a week so they can sit and IM each other? you know, kinda like a virtual visit.


I think just about anything he can do throughout the year would be a good thing,
Don't save cards and letter and phone calls for just the holidays.

These ideas can be suited to all ages,
it just takes a bit of tweeking.

hope this helps!

[Penny]

Text messaging sometimes is better than talking especially when you can send pics.

[tallguy32]

Some great ideas ladies. I'm going to try to put some of them to use. My ex makes it as hard as she can for me to have contact with my boys. Sometimes I feel like giving up. I'll put some of your ideas into practice.

[Lena]

I think it would be very hard to be away from your children for days and weeks, even if you have contact with them through phone! It must be the touching such as cuddling them close to you and giving that goodnight kiss, or watching them enjoying themselves etc..... Just so many things to have to miss out on when they aren't around you.

[Dippy]

I can't imagine how heart-wrenching it must be to be apart, or how excruciating the worry must be! I can only compare it to being separated to others that you love, need, and want to look after. I don't know what could help the absence that must be felt - as much communication as possible, perhaps, but that must be emotional, especially if they are struggling while away from you!

[Lena]

Yes after the communications with the young children and after the voices have gone, then the thoughts starts working and the longing to be with them will be aching!
Start wishing things like wishing you hadn't shouted at them for jumping on the beds etc..... The mind just keeps working!