Splitting up from your child’s other parent, or never being a couple in the first place, will likely mean you and your child spend some days apart.
One of the most challenging things during these periods can be to have a decent conversation with your child — especially over the phone. However difficult it might be, it’s important to keep on making the effort.
The younger generation is less used to chatting on the telephone than previous generations. Many kids would never even have a phone conversation with their best friend, let alone their parent. That does not mean they don’t interact with other people remotely, though. Some spend hours doing this, just not in the way that all adults are used to.
Think about different ways of doing things
Interacting with your child in ways they are more familiar and comfortable with may reap rewards. Here are a few examples:
- Voice messages: Kids often send voice messages to each other. It can feel weird at first, and some people are definitely better at it than others, but it’s something a lot of adults have also taken to. The advantage for your child is that they don’t have to answer you then and there, which could be annoying if they are with friends or in the middle of a movie. They can listen to the message when they want and reply when they are in a place where they feel comfortable to talk.
- Playing online: Some kids spend hours gaming online with others. If shooting up zombies on a screen is not your vibe, remember that you can also do things like playing chess or laying down beats together online. If you can find something you both enjoy, you may be onto a winner.
Maybe your child will never get deep while with talking with you remotely. That does not mean your virtual time together is not valuable to them. Turning up consistently for them when you cannot be there in person helps to maintain the connection and helps to remind them you love them and are there for them. Be sure to consider this when creating your parenting plan and custody schedule.