This site grew out of a need for community and support that simply did not exist. Parenting from a distance is not something people frequently talk about or fully understand, and there is still considerable social stigma around it. One of the hardest parts can simply be coping with the isolation.
It can feel isolating in a way that is hard to explain to people who have not been through it. But there are more of us out here than you might think, and finding each other makes a real difference.
A sense of community and connection with other long-distance parents can be the saving grace in a tough situation. Seeking out a community support network is a key step in building a long distance parenting tool set.
Support on DistanceParent.org
This makes me cry with hope. thank you for writing this reply.
Lucy
I can’t thank you enough for writing this. This post was the first of its kind that I came across. I was starting to feel like I was the only mother on the planet that had a family dynamic set up over distance this way. Some of what you wrote were words I have said exactly the past few months. You give me hope, and a new realization that there are other moms out there that do understand this, and speak this language of doing things better this way. This is the most amazing thing I could have come across right now. Thank you so much.
Tara
Wow. Thank you for this. I truly felt alone, but now I know that I’m not.
Beth H
Thank you for this site. I share my story in hopes that maybe it will help others and also out of appreciation that there are people out there who understand what its like to have to make such a difficult choice.
anonymous
Personal Experience
Reading through the personal experiences of other long-distance parents can make you feel instantly less alone. These are real stories from real parents navigating the same situation you are.
Community in the Comments
Many articles on this site have active comment threads where long-distance parents share their stories, ask questions, and support one another. If you want to feel less alone quickly, start there.
Community on Facebook
The Distance Parent Facebook group is a very active and supportive private group open to any long-distance parent. Discussions range from personal stories to questions, advice, and everything in between.
Because it is a private group, your friends will not see that you are a member or that you post. It is a safe space to ask the questions you might not feel comfortable asking anywhere else.