If you are that long distance father (on Father's day)

Parenting in today’s times is hard & being a long distance father is even harder

As fathers, we all often struggle, wondering if we are doing the best we can.

It is indeed a pressure knowing that you get a short window of time to prepare them to become responsible, health conscious, and emotionally strong & balanced humans being capable of facing modern day challenges & responsibilities.

There is definitely an added challenge of being geographically & physically away from children. Often it is limiting when you live away for job or other reasons, or the job demands excessive travelling & you are unable to spend enough time with children.

This is not the best & most ideal situation, but it doesn’t mean we cannot play our part in children’s lives. With some effort and planning, it is possible to have close relationship with your child from many miles away.

#1 Small emotional connect efforts: Use your creativity to share small gifts or surprises from time to time. Children love surprises and getting packages in mails. Keep connected to remain aware of their small needs & thoughts. Create life events & celebrate every small occasion.

#2 Make most of your time: Spend Quality time together with the family; outdoor activities & experiencing the nature together, creates great bonding. Involve them in activities depending on their age like working in the home garden, cooking a meal together.

#3 Share what is happening with you: It is important that you also share relevant things & learnings from your work or otherwise & your problems too. Give them more space in life to make them do the same with you.

#4 Create experiences & memories together: create some family rituals or bind them by some traditions. It can be religious, charity or social traditions. Create lot of memories & pictures together.

#5 Keep close Communication with the mother who is close to the child: It is one of the ways to stay updated & aware of what is happening in your child’s life.?Remember that your wife is taking the load of getting?child to school, keeping up?with studies, the after school activities and so on. Therefore it is important that you be her mental support.

Please also remember the following Do not’s.

#1. Do not have many expectations in return to your actions, they have a life of their own & they live in a world of their own, regardless of their age.

#2. Do not be imposing unless it is really required for their well being. Let them figure out on their own what is best for them and be a friend, philosopher & guide.

#3. Be a patient listener & try to address their concerns and questions. Do not be a father who knows everything, tell them it is ok if you do not know sometime.

#4. Try not to bring home that five minute work that takes two hours. Try to have that work-life balance as far as possible & more so if you are a long distance father.

#5. Give them space as they are growing up. Carefully use your right to pamper or punish the child

#6. Last but not the least, keep the relations & issues with your spouse not affect the child. You may notice, but they are also watching as much as you are watching the.

Remember, we all have unique personalities & situations in the family & be your own light keep this in mind. Be as caring as responsible fathers as life permits you to be!!