Tips for Staying Connected With Your Child By Aaron Larsen • Over the phone or through letters, help your child make a time capsule. Choose a future date when the time capsule will be opened (i.e. 20 yrs., on the wedding day of the child, graduation day, etc.). When you get home from your business trip, help your child bury it in the back yard, put it in the attic or storage, etc. You might include: * a tape with family members' voices on it * a current newspaper with the date * pictures of the family * any sentimental trinkets or valuables When you are away from your child be sure to send him or her items that he or she can include in the time capsule. • Buy a speakerphone if your child does not already have access to one. It will make it possible for you to have dinner with them, be there as they brush their teeth and get ready for bed, etc. • Send home some money so that your child can go to the ice cream parlor. Be sure to send a special letter along that can only be read at the ice cream parlor. If you both have access to cell phones then you can both be at the ice cream parlor talking over your ice cream. • Send home a photo documentary of what you do all day when you are away. Be sure to include things like what you eat, how you travel, etc. Things that you think are boring your child will be very interested in seeing. Have your child do the same. • Try including surprises with letters that you send: • fast food wrappers  • foreign currency • stamps  • Band-Aid • your own art  • flower petals • Sunday comics  • sand • fortunes from cookies  • newspaper clippings More tips for staying connected with your child >>> Buy the Book Moms Over Miles: An activities handbook for strengthening long distance relationships The book contains an additional 130 activities to help you bond with your child when you are away. $4.95