OperaMom Articles- 20 Long Distance Activities for Parents and Their Children

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20 Long Distance
Activities for Parents
and Their Children
From The National Long Distance Relationship Building Institute

Being a parent at a distance is challenging enough without always having to think up new, creative and exciting activities that you can do with your kids while you are away. To help long distance moms and dads we have come up with the following 20 long distance relationship building activities.

1. Go down to the mall and have a photo of you put on a pillow case and then send it to your child. If you have a favorite perfume or cologne you might want to put a little bit on it as well to remind your child of you.

2. Purchase or make stickers of your child's name and then stick them over the name of a character in one of his or her favorite books. You can also get a picture of your child's face and place it over the character's face.

3. Make a video and/or audio tape of you reading bedtime stories. Send them to your child along with the book.

4. Before you leave home next time, hide some treasure (notes of appreciation, videos of you reading stories, candy, toys, etc.) around the house. Be sure to draw a treasure map of where you have hidden these things. Then mail it home. If your child has a portable phone then you can be talking to him or her and giving hints as he or she hunts for the treasure. If you are not living with your child you can still do this activity by mailing the treasures ahead of time to who ever is taking care of your child.

5. Over the phone or through letters help your child make a time capsule. Choose a future date when the time capsule will be opened (i.e. 20 yrs., on the wedding day of the child, graduation day, etc.). When you get home help your child bury it in the back yard, put it in the attic or storage, etc.) You might include * a tape with family members' voices on it * a current newspaper with the date * pictures of the family * any sentimental trinkets or valuables. When you are away from your child be sure to send him or her items that he or she can include in the time capsule.

6. If your child does not already have access to a speaker phone then buy one. It will make it possible so that when you are away you can have dinner with him or her, be their as they brush his or her teeth and get ready for bed, etc.

7. Send home some money so that your child can go to the ice cream parlor. Be sure to send a special letter along that can only be read at the ice cream parlor. If you both have access to cell phones then you can both be at a ice cream parlor talking over your ice cream.

8. Send home a photo documentary of what you do all day when you are away. Be sure to include things like what you eat, how you travel, etc. Things that you think are boring your child will be very interested in seeing. Have your child do the same.

9. Make a package for your child that he or she can open when ill and you are away. You can include the following: * chicken noodle soup *a stuffed animal for them to hold * a favorite candy or snack * a special blanket or pillowcase * a letter, video or audio tape wishing them a speedy recovery * anything!

10. Arrange for flowers, pizza, etc. to be delivered to your child before or after a play, recital, sports game, etc. Include a note telling them how proud you are of their accomplishment.

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