Being on the road a lot can put a big strain on your family’s relationship. While making time for things like video chat and phone calls can be nice, it’s hard to address everything and satisfy everyone. If you’ve been finding yourself on the road more and need to keep up, then I’ve provided a few insights on how I learned how to do it. Check them out below:

Evaluating My Role

As a father, it’s important to accept your role within the family. While that might sound obvious, as noted by Pew Research, approximately 58 percent of fathers look at being a dad as a central part of their identity. For the 42 percent that do not, being a dad can be a pretty difficult role. It takes time to build a great family dynamic, however, to get started, you have to know your job as a father, as well as how that plays in keeping a relationship while you’re away.

First and foremost, every father knows they need to be available. As being a parent is one of the biggest responsibilities in the world and one that you need to take seriously. On the road, I always made sure to be transparent in asking about my kid’s school, friendships, sports, or anything else going on with them. Furthermore, it was also essential to let them lead the conversation (remember, as a parent, you’re here to learn as well), as a chance to give them an opportunity to express whatever it is they feel. Being selfless here with the time you have is critical, as it shows more than any you could say.

Seeking The Mediums

Another way I learned to connect with my family is through social media, but that wasn’t without its reservations. After all, as noted by Deloitte there are over 3.5 million photos shared every minute, which is a pretty staggering figure when you consider how much of that is viewed publicly. And as no one wants their family put out in the open like that, I had to find a better way for us to share experiences with one another.

In digging through, I realized a few apps were appropriate for different interactions. For example, I’d use Snapchat to send funny quips to my kids but Tapshare to share with my whole family. Furthermore, I’d keep up with everyone on Facebook pretty often, employing a video caption corporation to help my relatives understand the videos I was producing of my life on the road. And while a lot of this is what my family would see on the surface, what it took to put into these things behind the scenes was tough work.

A big part of being able to keep up with family via the videos or photos you produce is setting aside the time to work on these projects. This won’t be an easy task, and it’s something you should set aside at least a few hours for as you get started. However, once you get in the habit of it, you’ll be utilizing these to connect with your family with ease.

Gearing Towards Offline Life

Finally, I’ll note that while it’s great to learn how to stay in touch with my family online, I also realize that too much of one thing can be bad. While yes, I’ll admit that a lot of the digital tools around me are great for keeping in touch with my family while I’m away, that’s not necessarily quality time. Especially since too much reliance on technology can make for a disconnect in the family environment, it’s imperative to get some time out and about. Not only to get in some great memories but to teach your children about how crucial it is to be outside.

According to The Guardian, kids only play outside on average of 4 hours per day versus 8.2 hours of previous generations. While technology isn’t the sole blame, it’s also part of it, which is why you need to teach a disconnect. And although this doesn’t necessarily need to be structured “play time,” it is great to be as encouraging to get away from tech as much as possible.

When suggesting something like going to the park or hiking, encourage everyone to leave their phones at home. Additionally, make certain times where your phone is a common thing (i.e., for taking pictures) but should be put away. Remember, this is a relatively new balance you’re trying to establish, but once you do, you’ll be much better off long-term in developing an amazing relationship.

What are some ways you’ve been able to stay in touch with your family while away? Comment with your answers below!