11. Find unique things to write your letters on, for example: *things your child likes -- child's favorite color of paper, stickers, pictures of things they like *fun objects -- coaster, napkins, paper tray liners at restaurants, barf bags, old handkerchiefs, cash register tape, receipts in foreign currency or for what you ate at lunch, pictures of you, or of favorite spots * paper cut into special shapes (try holiday shapes like shamrocks or hearts) *puzzles (cut your finished letter into pieces, try sending one piece at a time).

 

12. Send a postcard attack. (Send a postcard everyday for a week straight, send postcards from unique places).

 

13. Start writing a letter and then take it with you during the day and add a sentence every now and then. Be sure to add where you are when you write the different sentences i.e. an elevator, taxi, café, etc.

 

14. Write a newsletter (have a regular issue of your own family newsletter with columns about each child, family events, exciting news etc.)

 

15. Choose a photo from your photo album that you can send to your child and then write a letter explaining the events surrounding it. Also if both you and your child have access to the internet. I recommend that you have a family home page. One free resource that I recommend is FamilyPoint. They provide you with your own family webpage that already contains a free private chat room, free message boards, free family calendars, and if you have access to a scanner then you can also load photos up onto the website for free. It takes about 5 minutes to sign up.

 

16. A few years ago H. Jackson Brown Jr. sat down at a type writer and began a list of lessons that he had learned in life to share with his son who was going off to college. He writes, " I read years ago that it was not the responsibility of parents to pave the road for their children, but to provide a road map. " A few days after his son had received the gift he called and told his dad " Dad, I've been reading the instruction book and I think it's one of the best gifts I've ever received. I'm going to add to it and someday give it to my son." Take 5 minutes and begin a Life's little instruction book to your child. Don't worry if they are not old enough to read. Do it anyway because someday they will be able to read it. The important thing is to start it and then leave it out in an area where you will see it and add to it during the next week. If you are not familiar with H. Jackson Brown's book here is a small sample to get you started. 1. Compliment three people every day. 2. Have a dog. 3. Watch a sunrise at least once a year. 4. Remember other people's birthdays. 5. Over tip breakfast waitresses.

"The best thing parents can spend on their children is time, not money." - Anonymous

 

I would add the reminder that your child can recognize and appreciate the time that you spend on these long distance activities.

 

17. If both you and your child have access to cell phones then go fishing with them from a distance.

 

18. If both you and your child have access to the internet then go on a virtual field trip with them. Be sure to use a free program like AOL's Instant Messenger so that you can communicate with each other while you're looking at the webpages. A couple of places to start could be NASA or PBS.

 

19. Try including surprises in with the letters: *fast food wrappers *foreign currency *pencil shavings *coasters *Band-Aid *your own art *flower petals *Sunday comics *sand *fortunes from cookies *newspaper clippings *stamps * old shoe laces *crumbs from breakfast to show you were thinking of them.

 

20. Make a package that contains some cookie cutters and the non-perishable ingredients of your child's favorite cookie so you can "help" them bake while you are away.

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- The National Long Distance Relationship Building Institute