7 Ways to Keep in Touch with Family After You Relocate
You never call! It’s the complaint of moms everywhere. And come on, your parents did put a roof over your head for 18 years. So, maybe you do owe them a phone call.--especially if you don’t see them as much after your relocation. Good thing there are tons of ways to stay in touch. Sure, you might have to give a little guidance to some of your less tech-savvy family members. But it’s worth it.
-
Skype/Facetime: It’s always good to hear a loved one’s voice, but even better to see their face. Before you leave, make sure the whole family knows how to use Skype or Facetime. It also forces you to pay more attention to the conversation than you might for a phone call. You can’t be doing your dishes, scanning your Twitter feed, or watching TV while you’re video chatting.
-
Blogs: Your mom’s probably not going to appreciate a blog about your Tinder dates. But a blog about a new hobby you picked up in your new town or your new best friends (since you've mastered making friends in a new city) will help your family feel like they’re more a part of your life. And if you have kids, posting about funny things they said or did that day (with lots of pictures of course) will make the grandparents feel like they get a daily update on their grandkids instead of a twice-a-year visit. Plus, it’ll be great blackmail when your kid’s a teenager.
-
Social media: By now even your grandmother has a Facebook account. It’s a great way to just see what everyone’s up to on a day-to-day basis. Some social media platforms even have added features, like Google Hangouts’ video chat feature that lets you chat with multiple people at one time.
-
Free messaging apps: There are lots of free messaging apps, like WhatsApp, that run on wifi alone. You don’t have to worry about racking up data or text messaging charges. So don’t hesitate to send that silly emoji or text.
-
Letters: Everybody likes getting mail (you know, if it’s not a bill or junk mail). So, go old school and write a letter. If you’re staying in touch another way, don’t tell any stories or information that’s in the letter so it’s a surprise when your family gets it. Bonus points for including pictures and drawings.
-
Phone call dates: Pick a day and time you’re going to call home every week and stick to it. This is a great one for all you folks who had regular Sunday dinners with family or another standing date.
-
Pictures: Try putting your photos on a picture sharing site like Shutterfly. Give your family the link and they can check out your photos once a month. We know you took the time to do the research on how to find a house in a new town and found a home in an area with lots to do. So show them what your new town’s all about.