While it is very important to have good relations with your family, distance may make this quite hard. Whether you are across the country or on another continent, keeping in touch with your family members takes a little extra effort. Fortunately, in the digital age, there are numerous ways to bridge the distance and keep the bonds strong. Here are some thoughtful and creative ways to stay connected with your long-distance family members:
- Video Calls Regularly
One of the best ways to feel close to family, no matter how far away, is through video calls. Such platforms as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and Google Meet allow face-to-face communication, adding that personal touch that text messages and phone calls cannot provide. Scheduling regular video calls (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) can help you stay updated on each other’s lives and build closeness.
Pro Tip: If there are young children in the family, be sure to arrange video calls during a child’s time of play or fun to make the call all the more enjoyable and memorable.
- Create a Family Group Chat
Group chats are a great method of keeping in touch with constant updates from family members. Through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Slack, one can send quick hello’s, share photos, or just casually converse throughout the day. Group chats work really well to keep all people updated with events, holidays, or even just a simple check-up.
Pro Tip: Have some rules for this group chat-no spam, time zones should be respected-so it can be a positive space for everyone in it.
- Send Handwritten Letters or Cards
In this day and age of instant communication, there’s something so very special about receiving a handwritten letter or card. Taking the time to write a thoughtful message shows a level of care and effort that is often deeply appreciated. Sending cards for holidays, birthdays, or even just because, can make family members feel cherished despite the distance.
Pro Tip: Consider starting a tradition in sending letters once a month or writing a holiday card with updates about the family.
- Maintain a Family Journal or Blog
Create a shared digital journal or blog where family members contribute stories, memories, and updates about their lives. Tools such as Google Docs, Evernote, or even private blogs using platforms like WordPress can be great ways to document family life. Family members can take turns adding entries, sharing photos, and reflecting on significant events or even mundane daily moments.
Pro Tip: You can make this a creative family project where everyone contributes to a story, a poem, or even videos.
- Plan Virtual Family Game Nights
Sometimes, being far from loved ones can feel like you’re missing the fun and laughter of spendings that are enjoyed together. Virtual game nights offer a great way to resolve this issue. You can find literally many websites to play with your friends online: from trivia, Pictionary, card games, and even board games. There are great sites including Jackbox Games, Tabletopia, and Houseparty.
Pro Tip: Make this light and fun; for a night of games, aim to pick games that anyone will enjoy, regardless of skill or age, so it allows for everyone to be in the game.
- Movies/TV Shows
With streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu, you can now watch movies or TV shows simultaneously with your family members miles apart. You can use apps like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party) that can sync your viewing so you can chat in real time during or after the show.
Pro Tip: Make a family movie night a regular tradition, choosing a new movie or binge-worthy series to start together every month.
- Send Care Packages
A thoughtfully curated care package goes the extra mile to show one’s family that they truly care. From a box of homemade cookies, a selection of photographs from the family to a box full of tiny surprises-sending a care package adds an element of personal touch and a tangible addition to the long-distance relationships. It’s a great way to surprise one’s loved ones and remind them that one is thinking of them.
Pro Tip: If family members are far apart, set up a care package swap. Everybody sends something meaningful to somebody else, creating excitement and anticipation.
- Virtual Family Celebrations
Birthdays, holidays, or even small achievements don’t have to be celebrated only in person. Throwing virtual parties, replete with games, activities, and shared meals, can create an inclusive environment where everyone feels a part of the celebration. You can even order food delivery for family members who live in different locations so that all share the same meal at the same time.
Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a virtual celebration, send out digital invitations or create a fun theme to get everyone excited!
- Collaborate on Creative Projects
Keeping in touch with family can be way more than just conversations, but an excellent opportunity for some collaboration. Take part in building a family recipe book, working on a digital scrapbook, or build a family playlist. With tools such as Google Drive, Canva, or Spotify, everyone gets to put forth their ideas and add a bit of themselves to it.
Pro Tip: If your family loves arts and crafts, you could even do a virtual art project together-say, a painting challenge or crafting DIY gifts you mail to one another.
- Utilize Time Zone Differences
While it sometimes may feel like a barrier, time zone differences can definitely be used to your advantage. If your family were in different time zones, one could plan communication in shifts so that at any given moment of the day, somebody is available to talk to. It can be fun to wake up to a message from a relative in a completely different part of the world.
Pro Tip: Keep one family calendar with time zones to plan calls or celebrations without too much overlap or confusion.
Final Thoughts:
It is a challenge to keep the family ties strong across the miles, but it’s very much possible with the right tools and mindset. The key is to be consistent, intentional, and creative in how you stay in touch. Whether it’s a simple phone call, a virtual celebration, or a shared project, the distance won’t feel so vast when you make an effort to stay connected.
So, today is the day—schedule that video call, send that postcard, or plan your first virtual family game night! The options are limitless, and your family will look back and thank you for the effort of keeping those bonds tight.
How do you stay connected with your long-distance family? Let us know your favorite methods in the comments below!
