Tips for Staying connected with your child By Aaron Larsen • If both you and your child have access to cell phones then go fishing with them from a distance. • If both you and your child have access to the internet then go on a virtual field trip with them. Be sure to use a free program like aol instant message so that you can communicate with each other while your looking at the webpages. A couple of places to start would be Nasa at www.nasa.gov or PBS at www.pbs.org • Try including surprises in with the letters: *fast food wrappers *foreign currency *pencil shavings *coasters *Band-Aid *your own art *flower petals *Sunday comics *sand *fortunes from cookies *newspaper clippings *stamps * old shoe laces *crumbs from breakfast to show you were thinking of them • Make a package that contains some cookie cutters and the non-perishable ingredients of your child's favorite cookie so you can "help" them bake while you are away. 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