Just got my June issue of Parents magazine and while reading I came across such a great short snippet-type article that I had to share. The article in their "Solutions" section contained some suggested ideas on how to keep in touch with your kids when you have to spend time apart. Unfortunately many of my friends (and probably me at some point in my career) will find themselves separated from their families when duty calls. These ideas were great - some quite common, some I'd never heard of - so I really wanted to share (and document for future reference when it's my turn to play in some distant desert).
Again, these suggestions are reprinted directly from Parents magazine - not claiming any sort of creative credit :)
1.) Count Down the Days
Before you go, help kids craft a simple tear-away calendar with cardstock and markers so they can easily see when you're coming home.
2.) Look at Lovey!
Take along one of your child's stuffed animals or toys and photograph it doing cool things, like flying in a plane and sightseeing, during your trip.
3.) Start a Virtual Diary
Log on to familydetails.com to start a free family website where your kid can chronicle her day-to-day activities with text and pics while you're gone.
4.) Record Your Voice
Don't let a time difference prevent you from saying good night. Use your smartphone to tape a message or a video and send it in time for bed.
5.) Create Together
Away for a stretch? Draw a single shape on a sheet of paper and mail it back and forth, taking turns adding shapes, until you have a piece of art.
6.) Chat via Video
Make phone calls fun for younger kids by setting up a time to talk on the computer. Connect for free on sites like oovoo.com and skype.com.
Again, these suggestions are reprinted directly from Parents magazine - not claiming any sort of creative credit :)
1.) Count Down the Days
Before you go, help kids craft a simple tear-away calendar with cardstock and markers so they can easily see when you're coming home.
2.) Look at Lovey!
Take along one of your child's stuffed animals or toys and photograph it doing cool things, like flying in a plane and sightseeing, during your trip.
3.) Start a Virtual Diary
Log on to familydetails.com to start a free family website where your kid can chronicle her day-to-day activities with text and pics while you're gone.
4.) Record Your Voice
Don't let a time difference prevent you from saying good night. Use your smartphone to tape a message or a video and send it in time for bed.
5.) Create Together
Away for a stretch? Draw a single shape on a sheet of paper and mail it back and forth, taking turns adding shapes, until you have a piece of art.
6.) Chat via Video
Make phone calls fun for younger kids by setting up a time to talk on the computer. Connect for free on sites like oovoo.com and skype.com.
One of my best friends has three boys and her husband is in the Navy and has deployed numerous times. She has some very creative ideas about keeping daddy present in the house and to document their every day activities. But my FAVORITE thing she has done is she found this place to make a daddy doll. Basically it's a doll (you can choose from different sizes) and it has his face on it and him in his uniform. It is SOOO cute and the boys sleep with him every night. Just had to share! But great ideas from the magazine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the addition, Molly! We had a friend do that too and you're right the dolls are such a great idea for the little ones :)
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