Family is everything. But sometimes we forget just how important family is. As a parent, you want your kids to understand the connection that family can bring to their lives. And that doesn’t just include spending time with mom and dad. Your kids should have relationships with every member of their family — grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, too.
With that said, it’s not always easy to foster those connections; especially if you don’t live close by. But it’s not impossible. In this article, we highlight ways you can help your kids maintain relationships with family. From scheduling weekly calls to use technology to stay connected, here are seven tips to stay in touch:
1. Lead by Example
Before working on your child’s relationship with family, take a good look at your own. How often do you talk to your parents? Do you make time to visit your siblings who live out of state? If you’re not maintaining a relationship with your family, neither will your child. After all, kids learn through observation, so make sure you’re leading by example.
There are several ways to foster a better relationship with your family, even in today’s COVID-19 climate. For example, you could schedule a time to call your parents on a weekly basis. You can also plan trips to visit your family or use video calls to chat with your siblings. Remember, you don’t have to be face to face to stay in contact with your loved ones.
2. Buy Your Kids a Phone
Are your family members spread throughout the United States? To stay in communication, your kids need access to technology. They need their own phone.
As a parent, you might be hesitant to introduce your children to these devices. Don’t be. You don’t have to buy your kids the latest phone with all the bells and whistles. In fact, you shouldn’t. When it comes to buying your children tech, find devices that offer security and are easy to use.
Gabb Wireless, for example, offers kid-friendly phones with zero internet access and social media. But even with these safeguards in place, kids can still make phone calls to family members whenever they want.
3. Play a Virtual Game
These days, you don’t have to be in the same location to play a game with your family. You can play a game over the web via Zoom. This video conferencing app launched the Zoom App Marketplace where you can play games like Heads Up, Game Night Poker, and Kahoot.
To access these games, simply download the latest version of Zoom to your computer and log in. In the games category, install Zoom Apps and search for the game you’d like to play in the Zoom App Marketplace. Then, install the game and start a call as you normally would. Then you can play the game in the Zoom framework with family near and far.
4. Share Photos When Possible
Sharing photos is a great way to stay connected with family members. And thanks to technology, it’s now easier than ever. Apps like Google Photos lets you share memories whenever you want. You can create photo albums and share them with your friends and family. You can even set it up so your contacts are automatically updated when you add a new picture to your album.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. You can display photos on a device called Google Nest Hub. Does grandmother want to see graduation pics? If she had a Google Nest, your kids could upload those photos to the device regardless of distance.
5. Write and Mail Letters
There was once a time when the only way people could communicate was by mailing letters. While it takes more time to write a letter than send a text, letters are usually considered more personal. So consider teaching your children how to write and mail a letter.
Another benefit of writing letters is it can help your kids build on their motor skills. It also ensures they don’t forget how to actually write, which is a skill they could lose in today’s digital world. With so many children growing up texting and interacting online, it’s a good idea to introduce them to letter writing. This way they spend less time staring at screens.
6. Plan Regular Visits
Your travel plans were probably put on hold during the pandemic. Well, the world is slowly getting back to normal. You can start traveling again just as long as you’re careful and cautious. So why not book a flight to see family?
Now is the perfect time to start planning. Even if you only have a couple of days to spend at your destination, it’s worth it so your kids can enjoy quality time with the family. Just make sure your visit isn’t a one-off. Put regular family vacations on the calendar so you never lose touch with your loved ones.
Keep in mind that these trips don’t have to be expensive. The earlier you plan, the less you’ll end up spending and the more time you’ll have to budget accordingly.
7. Create a Schedule
Let’s face it. Kids aren’t the most organized people. But that’s where you, as a parent, come in. One of your jobs is to keep your kids on a schedule. This is especially important when it comes to helping children foster relationships with other family members.
Instead of leaving it up to your child’s discretion, schedule weekly or even daily calls for them and their relatives. For instance, you could schedule a call between your child and their grandparents every Sunday morning. Or maybe plan a bi-weekly virtual game night for your kids and their cousins. Regardless of what you choose, there are several events you can put on the calendar to help your kids stay connected.
Families aren’t enjoying the same amount of quality time they had in the past. According to a study, the average family spends less than 40 minutes together on a weekday. As a result, kids might grow up feeling less connected to their family and maybe even less loved. To ensure that doesn’t happen, keep everyone connected. By integrating the tips above, your kids can maintain and grow their relationships with family members, regardless of where everyone’s located.