Don't send you daughters too far away to college.

idad
Wed, 03 Aug 2005 22:19:54 +0000

I admit I haven’t read through this entire thread, so it might have been already mentioned, but I’ve found the Internet works best for contact. I have a friend who was in a similar situation, new baby and all. Calls were perhaps once a week, but seeing the child was sporadic at best. For the price of less than a visit, he bought his kid an Apple iBook and an iSight camera, about $1200 altogether (he had one). Now he sees the baby and the family in real time on an almost daily basis. And since one can talk as well as see, it works out great. the best thing is, one just plugs in the camera and it all works. I use it to keep in touch with my family when traveling. No long distance charges, and I can show them what the hotel looks like and the view from the window!

Another thing to consider is what is the outcome of the call. Is there chastisement for infrequent calling, or an upbeat response with positive comments and a real interest in what is happening “there?”