{"id":7077,"date":"2020-05-26T16:35:12","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T08:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.helperchoice.com\/?p=7077"},"modified":"2026-01-28T03:14:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T19:14:41","slug":"long-distance-family-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/long-distance-family-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"3  Strategies To Make Long-Distance Family Communication Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>By PathFinders<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/long-distance-family-communication\/#1_Establish_Communication_Routines\" >1. Establish Communication Routines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/long-distance-family-communication\/#2_Encourage_Caring_Engagement_and_Sense_of_Shared_Life\" >2. Encourage Caring Engagement and Sense of Shared Life<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/long-distance-family-communication\/#3_Schedule_In-person_Visits_and_Plan_Your_Life_Together\" >3. Schedule In-person Visits and Plan Your Life Together<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>People are getting increasingly mobile. For many of us, it means we are farther apart than ever from our loved ones. Communication is key for any relationship, whether you are living together or living far apart. While technology presents us with an opportunity to be connected even when there are geographical challenges,\u00a0 there are things to consider about long-distance family communication. The challenge is not only about how to stay in touch but also about how to maintain closeness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Living far away from family and important people in our lives can really affect one\u2019s well being. Therefore, having communication that works is essential. Here are 3 strategies that can help you make long-distance family communication work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Establish_Communication_Routines\"><\/span><br>1. Establish Communication Routines<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Communication routines can help continuity and maintenance of family closeness. Routines encourage you to keep the commitment to stay in touch with your family regularly. It can also create structure and clear expectations which can help family members, especially children&nbsp; to adapt to long-distance relationships with parents. Having a regularly-scheduled phone or video call, for example, can give children and other family members something to look forward to and enable them to manage their expectations on when they can connect with each other.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This may require a&nbsp; \u201cfamily schedule\u201d and it\u2019s important to keep consistency when planning and executing it. Once you have the schedule, minimise schedule changes and avoid delay\/cancellation or attempt to have longer conversations during the next session to make up. Longer stretches of time can feel like forever to your loved ones, especially to the young ones.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Texting, emailing, calling, video-chatting,\u00a0 and a combination of all the methods can help maintain strong bonds. Hearing and seeing loved ones may enhance the sense of connectedness and visuals can especially make a difference in children&#8217;s life. Regular facetime enables families not only to hear verbal expressions but also facial expressions, it gives a sense as if you were having the\u00a0conversation in the same room.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once in a while, you can also write an actual letter, send a postcard, or special package to your children\/other family members (and vice versa). It\u2019s personal, sweet and tangible; the surprise element can also be very memorable for family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><strong>Something to Think About\u2026<\/strong><br><br>Do you have regular communication with your family?<br>Does it make you feel motivated?<br>Does it help you feel less lonely?<br>Do you have a family schedule and\/or communication system that works effectively? (e.g. how many times in a day\/week, which day and how long, is it always video chatting\/calling\/texting, is it with a planned topic or always spontaneous, etc.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"family long distance communication\" class=\"wp-image-7104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-345x230.jpg 345w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-770x513.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-440x294.jpg 440w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-570x380.jpg 570w, https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dylan-nolte-HNXi5znlb8U-unsplash-9-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Encourage_Caring_Engagement_and_Sense_of_Shared_Life\"><\/span><br><br>2. Encourage Caring Engagement and Sense of Shared Life<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Closeness happens when you know deeper aspects of each other\u2019s life; and true closeness is built on open and honest communication. While communication may include topics of financial and physical needs, it is also important for families to pay careful attention to everyone\u2019s emotional needs. Do what you can to reduce individual stress by practising a healthy lifestyle and share positive things as well as challenges with your family.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While adults might be able to handle some of the emotional challenges of long-distance parenting, most children cannot easily adapt and cope with being separated from one of their parents for great lengths of time. Other than planning and preparation by parents\/family, maintaining a sense of shared life can be beneficial for all family members. This means co-parents or family members need to make effort to involve one another in their everyday lives. Avoid using precious communication time on the logistics of everyday life but allowing \u201cboring\u201d conversations on important details such as children\u2019s and co-parents daily rhythm is important. Families can also show some of each other\u2019s daily life routines during facetime.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Helping the young ones prepare what they are going to share or ask during their next call\/video chat with a long-distance parent and\/or having a \u201ctheme\u201d for family conversations can nurture closeness as well as promoting effective communication. You can brainstorm and have family\u2019s activities on budgeting and saving; or activities like drawing, dancing, book reading, doing yoga and playing games.\u00a0 You don\u2019t have to always sit and converse. You can also establish new traditions for important events or celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><strong>Something to Think About\u2026<br><\/strong><br>Do you talk with your family about the challenges you\u2019re facing in Hong Kong ?<br>If you have children in your country of origin, do you talk about parenting plans with your partner or family members?<br>What important values do you want to share with your family, and especially with your children?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Schedule_In-person_Visits_and_Plan_Your_Life_Together\"><\/span><br>3. Schedule In-person Visits and Plan Your Life Together<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit your family whenever you can, as the regular actual presence is irreplaceable.\u00a0 Plan how you will spend your time but don\u2019t overplan it &#8211; be present and enjoy the spontaneous moments too. When you finally have time for visiting families, take photographs, videos and make other records of moments together which families can keep when it\u2019s time to be apart again. These sorts of tangible reminders that family members, especially children, can see and hold help cement memories of all the good times you\u2019ve had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to talk about your goals and plans with your co-parent or family members, including goals related to regular home visits and permanent home return plans. When long distance relationships are understood to be temporary, it helps families to get through the hardship of being apart and to overcome feelings like it will never end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background has-very-light-gray-background-color\"><strong>Something to Think About\u2026<br><\/strong><br>Do you talk about your future plan with your partner or family?\u00a0<br>How do you see your life in 5 years time?<br>Do you have a home return plan?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>You can reach out to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinders.org.hk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PathFinders<\/a> for more information and support if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant during your employment contract.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Contact Number\/WhatsApp: 5190 4886<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Facebook: facebook.com\/pffmw<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Email: <a href=\"mailto:info@pathfinders.org.hk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">info@pathfinders.org.hk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pathfinders.org.hk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.pathfinders.org.hk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By PathFinders People are getting increasingly mobile. For many of us, it means we are farther apart than ever from our loved ones. Communication is key for any relationship, whether you are living together or living far apart. While technology presents us with an opportunity to be connected even when there are geographical challenges,\u00a0 there [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":7083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"slim_seo":{"description":"Practical ways to keep strong family bonds across distance from Pathfinders\u2014 from communication routines and technology to meaningful connection and consistency","title":"3 Strategies To Make Long-Distance Family Communication Work - HelperChoice Blog"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,100,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-post","category-familycare","category-parenting"],"blocksy_meta":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/jude-beck-a-nWU0o73r4-unsplash-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7077"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7106,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077\/revisions\/7106"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.helperchoice.com\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}