Videos connect family over distance

[CommunityEditor]

One of the keys to a happy life is a strong support structure of friends and family.

After pay issues, the most commonly mentioned reason for leaving the military is the frequency of deployments and the lack of time with family. And, of course, the reality of military life means you probably live far from extended family and friends.

What can you do to keep family relationships strong? Just hearing loved ones’ voices and seeing their faces can help.

One great way to connect holiday celebrations over the miles is by using video recorders available through such programs as United Through Reading on Navy ships and video messenger field recording studios at many Army posts and in deployment areas.

Deployed fathers and mothers can videotape themselves reading books to their kids. One spouse suggested using this specifically for the holidays by reading such holiday books as “The Night Before Christmas.” In fact, the United Through Reading program recommends bringing the experience full circle by videotaping the child’s response to the video to send back to the deployed parent.

One Fort Lewis, Wash., family used the video messenger system at a library to record a birthday party to send to Dad so he could feel a part of the celebration.

Our favorite idea to connect children to their extended family was shared many years ago by an Air Force wife in our workshop. When her daughter was born, she created a book featuring photos of all the extended family members. It was a large three-ring binder in which each page featured one person. She added a simple narrative as if it were a storybook.



Article: http://www.militarytimes.com/communi...stance_061129/


What things do you do to keep the kids engaged and connected to the absent parent?