Although many people believe that love, family, and friendship are absolutely essential components of a good life, too often they let other things get in the way of their relationships. Their siblings may move away. Their children may become busy with their own children. Their grandchildren may be wrapped up in their schoolwork and hobbies. If you aren’t careful, you might go weeks without talking to any of your family members – especially if they don’t live in the same area as you. So if you’re wondering how to keep in touch with your family, check out our tips below. We can’t promise any revolutionary ideas, but sometimes just seeing your options laid out in front of you can give you inspiration.
How to Keep in Touch with Your Family
Give them a call.
A phone call is perhaps the most obvious choice if you’re wondering how to keep in touch with your family. It’s convenient because just about everyone has a cell phone these days, and you can talk on the phone while doing other things (folding laundry, walking the dog, running errands). Many people intend to call their family members more often but then forget or let other things get in the way. If that’s you, consider setting up a schedule (always call on Sunday afternoons, for example, or always call while folding your laundry).
Send a letter.
Letters aren’t very common these days, but you can’t deny there’s a certain romance about them. They feel quite personal because you’re writing in your own unique handwriting, and you can include drawings or photos in the envelope if you like. If one of your family members is up for it (unfortunately, not everyone enjoys letter-writing), try to get a letter-writing habit going. Not only will it be a delight to receive something other than junk mail in your mailbox, but also you can save the letters and cherish them for years to come.
Chat through text messages or e-mails.
Not into the idea of scrawling long letters? Try e-mails instead. Or go shorter still and choose text messages. E-mailing and texting may seem impersonal, but because they’re so convenient, they make it easy to chat whenever you like. Plus, unlike phone calls, the person you’re contacting doesn’t feel like they need to respond right away. If they’re in the middle of something, they might wait a few hours to respond, but the conversation will continue despite the interruption. Keep in mind that if you choose one of these easy, digital methods of communication, you’re more likely to get a good response from your younger relatives!
Schedule a video chat.
If you’re tired of chatting on the phone and you miss seeing your loved one’s face, why not schedule a video chat? You could use FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangouts, or Zoom – whichever you prefer. If you’re not sure how to go about it, check out our blog post How to Video Chat.
Start a book or movie club.
Are you someone who struggles with phone calls because you don’t know what to say? Do you find it comforting to have something specific to talk about? If you have a hobby in common with a loved one (like reading, watching movies, or following a sports team), why not start a two-person club to discuss your shared interest? You could pick a new movie or book to read each month and then schedule a phone call or Skype session to chat about it.
Get together in person when possible.
Finally, while all the methods listed above are fantastic when you’re far apart, it’s important to get together in person whenever possible. You could have a lunch date, take a walk in the park together, attend a baseball game, or simply sit at home and have a chat. Phone calls, letters, e-mails, texts, and video chats are all well and good, but they can’t replace a hug from a loved one.
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Above all, remember that it all comes down to initiative. If you’re always waiting around for people to contact you, you may be forever disappointed. Decide that you will be the one who calls and initiates chats. You won’t regret it.
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