High Tech Ways Let Parents Bond with a Child from a Distance Even with Web Meeting

If you cannot be there in person – either because of business demands or for other reasons – there are numerous devices that help to bridge the gap.

The internet

The internet, for instance, provides options for free or inexpensive conferencing, including video conferencing. Skype (News - Alert) seems to be the most talked-about service, with some judges involved with parent visitation cases getting into the act by ordering Skype access. Video conferencing allows the parent and child to see each other and make face-to-face contact.

Another product, Bradon Technologies’ SAVii™Desk, offers even more video conferencing options for a parent, or even a group of relatives, or other adults, to stay in touch with their young student – no matter where the child or young adult is attending school or university, and how busy a parent may be with business demands.

Even though SAViiDesk is principally designed for businesses, a side benefit for parents with access to SAViiDesk, is that participants have the option to join a conferencing event conveniently via VoIP, telephone or mobile phone. Every SAViiDesk event invitation also includes a toll free number for participants – making it easier for a child on a tight school-year budget.

In addition, if there is a memorable conversation, the archives can be replayed in their entirety online or the audio portion can be accessed via telephone.

The Telephone

The Telephone. Agree or disagree, most kids these days have cell phones. This can be a benefit in staying in touch over a distance because it gives the parent and child the flexibility to make contact directly.

 E-mail. E-mail remains the number one method of communicating over the internet. In parenting, it allows the child and parent to exchange private conversations. One benefit of using e-mail is that the e-mail can be created and sent when the parent is available and read by the child when the child is available, allowing for flexibility in scheduling.

Instant messaging. Many instant messaging programs exists that allow people to exchange messages in real time over the internet without picking up the phone.

Whiteboard. Whiteboarding is similar to instant messaging in that the communication occurs in real time. But, whiteboarding stands apart in the ability to draw, use shapes, collaborate over images, and use voice chat while doing it. A parent can use whiteboarding to help a child with homework.