As we grow older, it often becomes increasingly difficult to stay in touch with our family. People relocate, get new jobs, or spend more time with their own partners and children, so regular visits aren’t always an option. However, there are plenty of ways that we can maintain close family ties despite physical distance, which we will outline in this article.
Schedule Regular Video Calls
We live in a fantastic time where video calls are easily accessible, so make use of them to bridge the gap between yourself and your distant relatives. Setting a regular schedule, whether weekly or monthly, creates a routine everyone can look forward to. These calls could just be casual chats, or they could even be game sessions or themed nights, making them more engaging and less formal. As Eldering reminds us, don’t forget to help your elderly relatives get involved.
Share Daily Life Updates
In between video calls, it’s a great idea to keep your family updated on the small moments of your day-to-day life. Sending quick photos, short videos, or voice messages about your daily activities can help relatives feel included in your life, even if it’s just a snapshot of a morning coffee or a walk in the park.
Create a Family Group Chat
If you don’t have one already, consider starting a dedicated family group chat to stay connected. This can be a space to share news, photos, funny memes, or important updates. It keeps everyone in the loop and encourages ongoing conversation, making the distance feel less significant.
Send Care Packages
Another thoughtful way to maintain close family ties despite physical distance is to send out care packages with personal touches, which will no doubt mean a lot to family members who are far away. Include items that remind them of home, such as local treats, handwritten notes, or small gifts that reflect shared memories. It’s a thoughtful way to show you care and are thinking of them.
Plan Virtual Family Game Nights
We briefly mentioned this earlier, but it deserves more focus–consider hosting virtual game nights as a fun and interactive way to stay connected with your family. There are plenty of online games and apps that allow families to play together, regardless of location. This doesn’t have to involve regular video games; if your family isn’t into that, consider playing some trivia, online board games, or role-playing scenarios.
Watch Movies or Shows Together Online
Technology truly is an incredible thing today, as it enables us to watch movies or TV shows together online, even if we’re not in the same room. Using streaming services with group watch features, you can synchronize viewing times and chat about the content as it unfolds, making it a shared experience despite the distance. Don’t forget the popcorn!
Celebrate Special Occasions Virtually
You shouldn’t let distance prevent you from celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or holidays with your family. Host virtual parties or gatherings where everyone can participate, even if it’s just blowing out candles together over a video call.
Start a Family Newsletter
While it might seem unusual, it’s a wonderfully creative idea to start a family newsletter to keep everyone in the loop. Each member can contribute updates, photos, or anecdotes, creating a collaborative snapshot of family life. This newsletter can be emailed monthly or quarterly, serving as a fun and informative family chronicle.
Collaborate on a Shared Family Project
Just because you’re physically distant doesn’t mean that you can’t work on a shared project with your family, such as a recipe book or a digital photo album. Each family member can contribute their parts, and the final result becomes a cherished keepsake. It’s a creative way to stay connected and work towards a common goal.
Host Virtual Cooking Sessions
Nothing beats the in-person experience of cooking or baking with family, but nothing is stopping you from having the second-best thing: cooking together virtually. Simply choose a recipe that holds family significance or explore new dishes together, and you can share the results over video, taste-test together, and enjoy the communal experience of a shared meal.
Participate in Online Challenges Together
If you and your family fancy some friendly competition, why not join some online challenges or set up your own? This could be a fitness challenge, a reading club, a creative arts challenge, or pretty much anything else that you could imagine. Ultimately, these activities give everyone something to work towards and discuss, reinforcing family bonds.
Schedule Regular Phone Calls
Not everyone is a fan of video calls, especially older folk who can find them awkward. However, sometimes, a simple phone call can be the most effective way to stay connected. Make it a habit to call family members just to chat without any particular agenda. These regular conversations, even if brief, can keep relationships strong and ensure everyone feels remembered and valued.
Send Handwritten Letters
It’s a sad fact that the tradition of handwritten letters has long since disappeared, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rekindle it in your family. Writing, sending, and receiving responses to these letters can be incredibly heartwarming, as taking the time to write and mail a letter shows effort and thoughtfulness. It’s a personal way to share news, express feelings, or simply remind someone that you’re thinking of them.
Host Virtual Study or Work Sessions
If you have family members who are studying or working remotely, hosting virtual study or work sessions can be a way to keep in touch while being productive. It’s a low-pressure way to spend time together, offering a quiet presence and mutual support, even if it’s through a screen.
Create and Share Photo Albums Online
Earlier, we briefly raised the idea of starting a photo album project with your family, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be physical. There are plenty of online visual ways to keep everyone updated on family moments and milestones; platforms like Google Photos or private social media groups can serve as digital family albums where everyone can contribute pictures, making the collection a collaborative effort.
Organize Virtual Family Talent Shows
One of the most creative ways you could stay in touch with your family virtually would be to organize a virtual talent show. This could be a very fun way for family members to showcase their skills and entertain each other. You don’t have to take it too seriously, either; everyone will no doubt have something to share, regardless of how big or small it might be.
Plan Future In-Person Visits
Nothing keeps a family together long-distance, like looking forward to future visits, even if they are months or years away. Arranging such in-person visits gives everyone something to look forward to. Whether it’s a holiday gathering or a family vacation, having plans on the horizon keeps hope alive and emphasizes that the distance is only temporary.
Support Each Other’s Milestones
Above all, you should never let your physical distance prevent you and your family from supporting each other’s milestones. Try to celebrate achievements like a new job, completing a project, or any personal accomplishments through any of the methods we’ve mentioned in this list. Even just sending a congratulatory message, a small gift, or simply acknowledging the moment will help maintain emotional closeness despite the miles apart.