Parent or Visitor? YOU Decide (eBook)

Introduction
What Is Long Distance Parenting?
So What Are the Definitions?
Same Problem, Different Situations
What's in It for You?
What You Need to Bring to the Table
Make It Work for and with Your Family
Further Resources
Part One: The Basics of Parent-Child Relationships
Activity One: Read Stories
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Research Your Children's Tastes
Step Two: Collect Your Toolkit
Step Three: Record the Story
Step Four: Post It on YouTube or on Your Family Website
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Two: Sing Songs
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Toolkit and Rehearsal
Step Two: Record the Songs
Step Three: Send the Songs to Your Family
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Three: Play Games
The Science Stuff
You Will Need:
Step One: Research
Step Two: Assemble Your Resources
Step Three: Play, Adapt, Play
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Part Two: Tap into Technology
Activity Four: Start a Family Website
The Science Stuff
Some Technical Points
You Will Need
Step One: Registration and Initial Set-Up
Step Two: Add Content
Step Three: Add More Detailed Content and Links
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Five: Hook into Social Media
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Before You Begin
Step One: Do Your Research
Step Two: Decide on Boundaries and Discuss as a
Family
Step Three: Regularly Monitor Activity
Step Four: Engage the Family in Ongoing Education and
Discussion
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Part Three: Talk and Teach
Activity Six: Dinnertime Conversation
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Create the Page
Step Two: Plan the Schedule
Step Three: Start Sharing
Step Four: Save the Conversation
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Seven: Teach Life Skills
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Make a List
Step Two: Plan and Organize
Step Three: Implement
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Eight: Get Involved with Your Kids' Schools
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: At Home Preparation and Teacher
Consultation
Step Two: Engage with Your Child's Learning
Step Three: Ongoing Consultation and Interaction
It's a Two-Way Street
Deliver on Your Promises
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Part Four: Be a Team Player
Activity Nine: Connect with Your Parenting Partner
The Science Stuff
If You're Truly Concerned about Something
You Will Need
Checklist
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Ten: Become a Virtual Assistant
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Listen
Step Two: Act
Step Three: Confirm
Take Note
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Part Five: Extend
Activity Eleven: Get Creative
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Identify Some Common Opportunities for
Creativity
Step Two: Provide Opportunities for Creativity
Step Three: Apply Creativity in Your Long Distance
Relationship
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Twelve: Start a Family Scrapbook
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Decide How You Will Preserve Your
Memories
Step Two: Start Your Scrapbook
Step Three: Contribute to Your Scrapbook Regularly
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Further Resources
Activity Thirteen: Explore Your History
The Science Stuff
You Will Need
Step One: Build Interest through Stories
Step Two: Dig into Details
Step Three: Display Your Findings
Variations on this Activity
Putting It into Practice
Conclusion
About the Author
More Great Resources
References