Social Media and Long Distant Parenting

By: Marcin Sajda

Adapted from http://l.yimg.com

With 50 percent of marriage ending in divorce, it is not uncommon for one parent to be separated by distance from their child for whatever reason, re-marriage, new job opportunity, parent moved back to original birthplace, etc. Either in a different town or a different country it is the parent’s responsibility to keep connected with the child despite their geographical difference. In this particular instance, social media can really be useful for connecting parents and their children who have a long distance relationship. On the website Children and Divorce, there are several tips on what parents can do to keep connected to their children. Some examples were sharing their lives through Facebook. Or helping with their homework through online programs, and chatting with the child on a regular basis via instant chatting. The distant parent should send presents here and there, even via social media or apps, which are quick and instant.

Since social media is more accessible to younger children these days and will be in the future, many app creators are taking note and building programs that are made for the long-distant parent. For many military families, one parent can be away for long periods of time even with a young family at home, for this there were many apps created where the parent could read a story to the children then have it sent off to the child via an online app. One app called You Rule Chores, allows kids to earn points when a chore is complete, the app will soon be available for device syncing. It appears that there is a market and need to social media and apps to become more advanced and detailed and help to facilitate the relationship between a parent and child with a geographical distance.

Resources:
http://www.children-and-divorce.com/long-distance-parenting.html

http://blogs.extension.org/militaryfamilies/2012/03/08/parenting-at-a-distance-there%E2%80%99s-an-app-for-that/

http://l.yimg.com/ck/image/A2581/2581371/300_2581371.jpg