Once upon a time, when we started this long distance parenting arrangement, there were very few products that offered voice and video chat. We used netmeeting in the very beginning, which was an old Windows app and to this day, we still call his internet visitation time ‘netmeeting’. My useless tidbits quota for the day has been met.

Then came skype. I’ve recommended skype over the years (and in fact, I’m grimacing at a stack of posts from over the years that need to be updated with this new recommendation). When skype came out, it was sleek, slick and THE way to do video and voice chat. However, since that time, a whole slew of popular chat programs have added voice and video, among them yahoo, google and aim.

We stuck with skype though because they started introducing voip products (internet telephone) and it was nice to give my son his own phone number and the ability to make phone calls from his computer so that he could talk directly with his dad and his dad’s family without me needing to be involved.

However, IMO, skype hasn’t kept up. I’ve used them not only for my son’s phone but also for my business phone and I’ve had pretty bad experiences with them in the last year or so. These are my personal experiences and your mileage may vary.

• We’ve had several unexplainable technical difficulties. Because we’re paying for the product, I expect

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Allie: O;)??i?$73

Me: Hi sweetheart, how is your day?

Allie: Gsksjsofjfjserr

Me: Are you ready for your birthday? I can’t believe you’re going to be 5!!!

Allie: Gwygegeyeu Bhhdydhsydhdydh

Me: I love you, Princess. XOXO

Allie: I. Love. You. Daddy

And that is roughly what 99% of my text message communications with my daughter look like. Typically just a string of nonsensical characters, only rarely forming any word you’d find in the English language, let alone a complete thought (although occasionally she transcribes to someone else to type her thoughts for her – makes for an easier flow of conversation, but much less personal). She’s getting better though. As you can see, she does know how to read/write some words, including those most important to me – I, Love, You and Daddy.

I have many instances where I feel that although what she sends is gibberish, it’s some of the most important and reflective sentiments that I’ll hear from anyone all day. After all, it’s not the sequence or selection of characters that she chooses to send me (one could argue that some of my messages are just as incoherent at times), it’s that she sends me anything at all that melts my heart; that she’s thinking of me. It’s those unexpected, unsolicited messages that pop up out of nowhere that light up my face no matter where I am or… (More)

I was always taught that there are very few times when a grown man should cry – Funerals, and that sort, I suppose. My own personal list, however, of permissible occasions for a man to tear up a bit definitely includes those few minutes when I am returning my daughter to her mother after a week or two of good quality time together. Life as we know it changes for the duration of the time that she is with us, as my girlfriend and I temporarily abandon our “come-and-go-as-we-please” lifestyle to adapt to the warm and inviting home that my daughter knows in California. Sushi and fish tacos are replaced by fish sticks and chicken tenders, and Nickelodeon tends to be the order of the day on the flat screen. Late nights at the office take a back seat to playing “Go Fish” and reading a fairytale princess story before bed. But it is all so very welcome and we both get upset when it is time for Allie to go back.

I start to feel a bit sad about the day before I have to take her back, as I am compiling my mental checklist of things of Allie’s that I need to remember to pack. She often senses this slight gloom and ironically it is her reminding me that “Daddy, but I’m still here right now,” in that every so adorable high pitched voice. It is amazingly deep sentiment coming from such an innocent, young, four-year old girl,… (More)

This is my first holiday season as a long distance father.  Last year I lived in the same town as my daughter, then age 3, and I saw her every other weekend and one night during the week (sometimes over night).  I was living in a small two bedroom apartment just minutes from her.  During my visitation with her, we’d engage in typical holiday fun (my girlfriend was even so sweet as to order us a big Thanksgiving dinner and have it delivered for one of my visits with my daughter, even though she was a thousand miles away visiting her own family).  I would take Allie shopping to get Christmas ideas for her and to pick out gifts for the rest of the family.  We would watch holiday cartoons or rearrange decorations on the tree.  Basically, every few days or so, we’d spend our time together reveling in the joys of the season and I’d enjoy getting to see the holiday magic through her eyes, as she compiled her endless list for Santa and asked question after question about the jolly red guy.  And when I wasn’t with her, I spent what seemed like months building my daughter one of those wooden dollhouses, gluing shingles, painting or decorating the miniature interior – it turned out to be a gift that she loved and still enjoys playing with.

I’ve never been one of those huge holiday fanatics, as it often brings back some painful childhood memories that I’d rather not… (More)

Having recently (within the last year or so) become a long distance parent, I’ve done some considerable reading on how best to maintain a relationship with my daughter and cope with the multitude of emotions involved. Of all of the advice I’ve read, perhaps the most important thing is to have a strong support system and someone you can talk to. I’m extremely fortunate to have just that and an amazing partner in my girlfriend. I wrote the below to her, but wanted to share:

My Dearest :

As I type this, I’m sitting at about 30,000 feet or so, on my fourth flight of the day since the alarm went off at the ungodly hour of 3:40 a.m. I was fortunate enough to catch an earlier flight, so I’ll be home about 4 hours sooner than originally anticipated. I miss you and I’m anxious to see you after a long weary day of travel.

As you know, I had to take Allie home today, and while the 4,000-or-so frequent flier miles in a 16 hr span are nice, they sure take their toll and I’m tired and emotionally drained right now. Flights 3 and 4 have been lonely, without the excitement of travelling with my little sidekick, but they give me plenty of time to think (aren’t we always pining for some down time? – nothing like a solid day of air travel to make me careful what we wish for!).

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