Far Away Family

By Christine R. McLaughlin

Nothing is as awe-inspiring as a child's growth. Within that first year, many babies triple their birth weight and some even walk and talk. It's natural that you want to share their progress, and your joy, with others. But keeping friends and relatives updated does take time and effort. Thankfully, while our free time is shrinking, digital technology is exploding in ways that make it easier and more fun to keep family abreast of what's happening with the kids. But that's not to say high-tech is best for everyone. Whether it's snail mail or sophisticated gadgets you prefer in relating to relatives, you might be inspired to try something new with the ideas from other mothers below.

A Phone with a View Last Christmas, new mom Tracy from San Jose, California, bought a videophone for her immediate family and her parents, who live in Pennsylvania, for tele-commuting with each other. "That way the grandparents can see the little guy on a weekly basis and we ...let him babble away," she says. "We definitely use it more than most Christmas gifts of past years."

Same Story, Same Time Another idea that costs Tracy nothing is reading an old Native American prayer to her newborn son every day. Tracy asked his great grandma to read the same poem in her time zone (Central) so that the good wishes are sent out at the same time -- and they are bonded even if only virtually. "It's a little hokey but I like it," she says.  "It instills a good morning routine so that when Joel is older he'll think about all our relatives and wish them a good morning too," she says.

Photos and Videotapes Yes, digital cameras are here to stay, but some people still haven't figured out how to print out the images on quality photo paper or don't do it often enough. On the other hand, the image is all that matters to some moms and grandmothers. Victoria, from Washington, DC, emails her mom and dad "vats" of photos of their new baby girl on a weekly basis. Then her mom prints them out on regular paper, mails them to her friends and family and puts copies in a binder like a makeshift photo album.

Janet, from Rydal, Pennsylvania, took a photo of her baby twins every month on the same chair for their first year and then every year afterward for her dad who lives in Florida. It's a great way to illustrate how quickly kids grow.

When Janet, the twins, and grandpa get together during the year, she always videotapes him reading her kids a story. That way, when back in Pennsylvania they can play the tape as often as they like. It maintains a connection.

Pen and Computer Pals Clare of Glenside, Pennsylvania has a four-year old daughter who stays in touch with her cousins who live in Alabama and North Carolina. Using crayons and stickers, she makes home-crafted cards. A common theme is to illustrate what they will do the next time they're all together, such as go to the zoo or a playground, says Clare. When Clare mails the envelope, she includes a note interpreting what her daughter wrote. This also works in email. Her daughter types what she can and Clare includes a note that's typed verbatim from what her daughter meant to say.

For most families, it's a real challenge to stay in touch with faraway relatives, but if you make it fun, you're more likely to find success.  And keep expectations low.  The truth is, just making the effort is the most important thing and will no doubt bring smiles to everyone.

Christine McLaughlin is a mother of two young boys and a freelance writer, editor and author of the newly released The Dog Lover's Companion to Philadelphia.