As people get older, they must make decisions that are best for them and their immediate family members. As this happens, it is important that you actively pursue a relationship with your family. As people grow both personally and professionally, they may move to different cities, states, or countries. Thankfully, technological advancements make it easy to stay in contact with distant relatives. In this article, we will share a few ways that you can bridge the gap with your relatives that live abroad.
1. Find Common Ground
No matter what your beliefs or location, there are things that you have in common with your family members. If you are finding it difficult to relate to certain people, remember the things that you have in common. Do you have a funny story that you can share from growing up? Do you share a favorite meal? By taking the time to talk about light and engaging topics, you can slowly grow deeper in your relationship with one another.
2. Make an Effort
A little effort goes a long way. When your family members see that you are going out of your way to connect with them, they will feel appreciated. Sometimes, relationships struggle because no one is willing to sacrifice their time or energy to stay in touch. By making an effort to keep in contact, you can show how much you desire to stay connected.
3. Think Creatively
Have you considered dual citizenship? When you are a dual citizen, you have the ability to travel freely between the two countries that you claim. With this option, you would have the flexibility to visit your family whenever you want or need. If you originate from Italy, consider learning more about Italian Citizenship by Descent, click here. If this is an option worth pursuing, you will soon have the right to purchase land, vote, live, and conduct business in both countries.
When you hold dual citizenship, you will see a transformation in your relationship with your family members. Not only will you have the opportunity to see them more often, they will see the value you place on the connection. Although this process may be long and tedious, it is worth it.
4. Lend a Helping Hand
In life, we all face challenges that we cannot overcome on our own. Rather than ignoring the challenges that people are facing, choose to lend a helping hand. If someone is undergoing financial stress, evaluate your finances to see if you could assist in the situation. If someone is having a health crisis and is struggling to take care of their children, spend time investing in them. Help find an individual that can assist with childcare while your relative heals from their illness. When you lend a helping hand, you embody what family is truly supposed to be. Also, if a family member has any doubts, they can seek help at liedetectortest.uk.
5. Videos and Gifts
Sometimes, sending online messages does not contribute to a healthy relationship. Rather than texting, take the time to communicate over video. When you talk on video, you get to see the daily expressions of the other person. This is a more intimate form of communicating from a distance, and it may allow you to have more open and honest conversations. Some of the common applications that are used for communication include:
- Facetime
- Skype
When you use these platforms, you can create a dynamic conversation with your loved ones.
6. Celebrate the Holidays Together
As the holidays approach, consider celebrating with your family members. Although you may not be with one another, you can set up a quality celebration over video call. First, mail some items to your family members that they can use throughout the event. For example, you can mail recipe cards and ingredients so that you can simultaneously craft a meal together, Secondly, have an idea of creative ways that you can engage family members throughout the evening.
You can find games that can be conducted virtually and take turns sharing updates from the prior year. If you are living in the U.S. and your family is in Peru, celebrate the traditional practices of both nationalities. During a portion of the event, you can show your family how a season is celebrated in the U.S. In the second portion of the event, you can participate in traditions that your family abides by in the country that they reside in. When you celebrate the holidays in this fashion, you will get ample quality time with one another.
7. Be Realistic
As you determine what your relationship with your family members is going to look like in the future, it is important to be realistic. When creating a relationship with your global family, it is important that you set realistic expectations of what the relationship will look like. If you know that you do not have the means to travel abroad multiple times a year, don’t make promises of frequent visits.
If you know that you live in a place with unreliable service, tell your family when you will be available to speak and secure a reliable connection. When realistic expectations are established, no one will be disappointed in the outcome, and you can better steward the time you have with your family.
Summary
Family comes with many blessings and complications, and it can be extremely burdensome to live far away from them. With the advancements of technology, there are more ways than ever to stay in contact. Unfortunately, this is not always enough when times are rough. When you or your relatives are going through something difficult, it is important that you support one another to the best of your ability.
If you have the resources to be a dual citizen and travel back and forth between the countries, this is an effective way to show your community how much you care about them. By visiting and communicating frequently, you can develop a deeper relationship with your loved ones.
