Seeing your child grow and start a life on their own is one of the hardest parts of being a parent. Trying to stay in touch with each other while living in different countries is yet another challenge you’ll need to master as a family.
Luckily, these days, staying connected with your loved ones is much easier. The Internet is making everything better. Sure enough, it doesn’t mean that you won’t miss your child just as much as you already do.
Yet, you will have many options to ease your way into separation. In fact, maybe your relationships will grow even stronger in distance. Who knows? You have to try anyway. So here are some tips on how to stay in touch with your child studying abroad.
Keep a Schedule
One thing you’ll have to adjust to is keeping a call schedule. You have to understand that these days, your child is overwhelmed with the changes in their lives.
Living abroad alone is a lot to handle during the teen years or early twenties. Thus, they have to do a lot of work to make themselves at home. It means that you may not have as much time with your kid (even on a phone) as you are used to.
The change will be difficult at first. Yet, keeping a schedule may help you shift to your new communication pattern easier.
So, set the time and days where all of you are comfortable to speak or make a video call. This can be the time when your child is alone in their dorm room and doesn’t have lessons the next day.
Overall, do respect their wishes and be mindful of their schedule. You may be used to the idea that you, as a parent, are more occupied with daily matters. Well, this is no longer true.
Your college children are now entering their adult lives. Their lives can be even more chaotic and busier than yours. So do take their wishes and schedules into account.
Social Media
Sometimes, all you need to know is that your child is safe and well. For that, you don’t need to do daily checkups or talk for hours.
In fact, you can just see what your kid has been up to the past few days via social media. If your child is a frequent poster, you won’t have trouble seeing their life updates.
Yes, it is not the same as real-life communication. Yes, you will have to learn those things along with everyone else who is subscribed/friends with them.
Though, does it really matter? You get to see that they are alive, busy with things, and in a mood of posting a pic of themselves, their meals, or whatever else, on their Facebook or Instagram page.
You will have a chance to call them later that week and ask them everything you want to know.
For now, just be happy for them from afar. You get to be a part of it and have immediate updates via notifications. It is more than most parents could only hope for centuries before you.
Postcards
Of course, postcards are the most old-fashioned thing on our list today. Yet, they can be the most memorable and warm reminders of your love and connection.
First of all, sending and receiving postcards can create a whole new tradition for you and your child to share together.
You pick a postcard, find postmarks, find where to send them (we guarantee your child will have troubles with managing those things), and then wait for the postcard to arrive. It can be quite fun in the warmest and tender way.
Actually, collecting postcards can even turn into a new mutual hobby of yours at some point. You’ll get to share your favorite collectibles with each other.
Your kid will also practice their writing skill, which is a nice bonus. Maybe they won’t need online help with essay writing anymore, as they’ll get the hang of it.
Besides, keep in mind that at the end, both of you will have lots and lots of physical evidence of your love represented in those postcards.
You’ll be able to keep them for life and look through every time you get to miss each other again.
Do your Thing
Don’t be afraid to create your own thing with your kids. Perhaps you can maintain your communication via sending each other photos of your meals. Maybe you will be more connected by watching the same movies on a movie night.
Do include the discussion on them later on! Overall, feel free to create your own traditions with your kid. If anything, those little unique things will only make you feel closer to each other.
