Once little ones start making their appearance on the family tree, it really changes the dynamic of the whole family. It's so much fun to watch a little newborn grow and learn new things every single day. Before you know it, they become a little toddling 2-year old with what seems to be a permanent bruise on their forehead, then they quickly turn into a little kid that says "the darndest things." Because of all these frequent milestones, growth spurts, and developments, it can make being away from children really difficult. Whether you're separated from a child because of a business trip, a weekend conference, or because you're a relative that lives far away, there are still ways to make sure the child (or children) stay connected and close, no matter the distance.

My desire to stay connected with my family really began to grow when we moved to the other side of the world. Our situation is somewhat unique but you don't have to live a world apart from your family to be able to relate to the old saying, "distance makes the heart grow fonder." According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 60 percent of married-couple households with children have two working parents. I know this was true for my own family when I was growing up. For my dad, this meant work-related travel. I have many memories of waiting for him to come home and eagerly asking, "What did you bring me?!" I was partly excited because of the actual gift, but another part of me was excited to know that this gift he brought home to me came from "far away" (even if it was only one or two states away).
Today, technology truly makes the world feel smaller. Our little family is no stranger to taking advantage of every possible way to stay close and connected to those who are far away. Since it's something I'm accustomed to, I want to share a few ways that you can feel close to loved ones when the distance between you is far.

Hopefully I've piqued your interest, so head on over to Cropped Stories where I've shared some ideas on how to stay connected and close, no matter the distance!