Being an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) is tough. You’re miles away from your kids, missing milestones and everyday moments. But video calls, while helpful, can become repetitive. Let’s explore fun and engaging activities that go beyond basic video chats to help you connect with your children meaningfully, even from afar. We’ll look at creative ideas for shared experiences, learning opportunities, and building lasting memories.
Virtual Story Time Adventures
Reading together is a fantastic way to bond. Don’t just read to your child; make it an interactive experience! Before the call, ask your child to pick a book. During the call, use different voices for each character. Ask questions about the story: “What do you think will happen next?” or “How do you think the character is feeling?” You can even create sound effects together. If you’re reading “The Three Little Pigs”, huff and puff along with the big bad wolf! You can find countless children’s books online or even use ebooks available through libraries. Many public libraries offer digital resources, allowing you and your child to access the same book simultaneously, enhancing that shared reading experience.
Let’s Build a Virtual Fort!
Kids love building forts! Even though you’re not physically there, you can guide them in creating one over video call. Before the call, decide on a theme: a castle, a spaceship, or a secret hideout. Then, during the call, instruct them on how to use blankets, pillows, chairs, and anything else they can find to build their fort. Give them specific instructions like, “Put the blue blanket over the chair,” or “Can you find a pillow to make a comfy seat inside?”. Afterwards, enjoy a “picnic” or tell stories inside the virtual fort together. It’s all about creating a shared, imaginative space.
Cooking Up Fun Together
Cooking or baking together, even virtually, can create wonderful memories. Choose a simple recipe like cookies, pancakes, or even a fun sandwich. Before the call, make sure your child (with the help of a caregiver) has all the ingredients and utensils ready. Then, during the call, guide them step-by-step through the recipe. Explain why you’re adding each ingredient and what it does. This is a great opportunity to teach basic math and science skills, too! For example, “We need two cups of flour. Can you measure that for me?”. Remember to emphasize safety, especially when using the stove or oven. While you can’t physically prevent accidents, you can constantly remind them about caution and supervise them through the camera.
Show and Tell, OFW Style
Show and Tell isn’t just for school! Encourage your child to show you their favorite toys, drawings, or anything they’re proud of. You can even ask them to explain how they made something or what they like about it. In return, show them things from your life abroad. This could be pictures of your workplace, your neighborhood, or even local snacks. Explain what you do at work, what you enjoy about living where you are, and what you miss about home. This helps them understand your life beyond just being an OFW who sends money home.
Gaming Good Times: Shared Video Games
Video games can be a surprisingly good way to connect, especially if you choose games that you can play together online. There are many age-appropriate games available on tablets, phones, and computers. Look for cooperative games where you work together towards a goal. Examples include Minecraft, Roblox, or even online board games. The key is to choose something you both enjoy and that fosters teamwork and communication. Set aside specific times to play together and make it a regular “gaming date”. Don’t forget that there are also many free-to-play games available, so you don’t necessarily need to spend a lot of money to enjoy this.
Arts and Crafts: Creating Masterpieces From Afar
Arts and crafts are a classic way to engage with your child. Before the call, decide on a project. This could be drawing, painting, making paper airplanes, or even creating a collage. Make sure you both have the necessary materials. During the call, guide them through the project step-by-step. Share tips and techniques and encourage them to be creative. Don’t worry about perfection; the goal is to have fun and create something together. After you’re done, proudly display their artwork (or you can display yours, too!). You can even mail each other your creations for a more tangible connection.
Sing-Along Sessions: Harmonizing From a Distance
Music brings people together, and it’s a fantastic way to connect with your child. Choose a song you both know and love. During the call, sing together with enthusiasm! Even if you don’t have a great voice, don’t be shy. The goal is to have fun and share a joyful experience. You can even make it more interactive by adding actions or dance moves to the song. Consider learning new songs together online. YouTube has countless karaoke versions of popular children’s songs, and you can both practice and perform them during your video calls.
Homework Helper & Tutor
Being away can make it hard to help with homework, but you can still provide support. Schedule regular “homework helper” sessions. During these sessions, ask your child about their schoolwork and offer assistance where you can. Even if you don’t know the subject matter, you can help them by reading instructions, asking clarifying questions, and helping them find resources online. This is also an opportunity to teach them valuable study skills. You can also use online educational games or websites to reinforce concepts they’re learning in school. Several platforms, like Khan Academy, offer free courses and tutorials on various subjects.
Virtual Field Trips: Exploring the World Together
Take your child on a virtual field trip! Thanks to the internet, you can explore museums, zoos, national parks, and even other countries together. Many museums, like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, offer virtual tours on their websites. You can also find countless videos on YouTube that showcase different destinations. During the call, explore the virtual destination together and discuss what you’re seeing. Ask questions like, “What’s your favorite animal?” or “What do you think it would be like to visit this place?”. This is a fun and educational way to broaden their horizons and spark their curiosity.
Learning a New Language Together
Learning a new language can be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your child. Choose a language you’re both interested in, like Spanish, French, or Mandarin. There are many free language learning apps and websites available, like Duolingo, that make it easy to learn at your own pace. Dedicate time during your video calls to practice the language together. You can learn basic phrases, play language games, or even try to have simple conversations. It’s a great way to bond and expand your horizons. Plus, it gives your child a valuable skill that can benefit them in the future.
Creating a Shared Journal or Scrapbook
Start a shared journal or scrapbook to document your lives and create a lasting keepsake. You can use a physical notebook or create a digital one using apps like Google Docs. Each of you can write about your daily experiences, feelings, and thoughts. You can also include photos, drawings, and other mementos. During your video calls, share what you’ve written and discuss your experiences. This is a great way to stay connected and learn more about each other’s lives. Decades from now, you can look beck on your shared journal and reminisce about the time you spent apart yet still together.
Themed Dress-Up and Improv Games
Get creative with themed dress-up and improv games! Before the video call, decide on a theme, such as pirates, superheroes, or fairytale characters. Encourage your child (and yourself!) to dress up in costumes or use props related to the theme. During the call, play improv games where you act out different scenarios related to the theme. For example, if the theme is pirates, you can pretend to search for buried treasure or battle rival pirates. This is a fun and silly way to let loose and use your imaginations. Laughter is a powerful connector, especially when you’re separated by distance.
“Secret” Mission Time
Add an element of fun and mystery to your relationship by assigning “secret” missions to each other. Before the call, prepare a small task or challenge for your child to complete. This could be anything from drawing a picture of their favorite animal to finding a certain object in their house. During the call, reveal the mission and watch as they complete it. In return, they can assign you a mission as well. This adds excitement to your video calls and encourages creativity and problem-solving skills. Keep the missions lighthearted and age-appropriate to ensure that they enjoy the activity.
Building a Family Tree Together
Explore your family history together by building a family tree. You can use online family tree builders or create a physical one using paper and markers. Start by gathering information about your immediate family and then gradually expand to include grandparents, great-grandparents, and other relatives. During your video calls, share stories about your ancestors and discuss your family’s history. This is a great way to connect with your roots and teach your child about their heritage. It also helps them understand their place in the world and the generations that came before them.
Planning a Future Reunion
Having something to look forward to can make the time apart more bearable. Start planning your next reunion trip together. Discuss what you want to do, where you want to go, and who you want to see. Involve your child in the planning process by letting them choose activities or help with the itinerary. Look at pictures and videos of your potential destinations. Create a countdown calendar so you can visually track the progress. The more involved they are in the planning, the more excited they’ll be about the reunion. This also provides hope and anticipation, making the present separation feel less permanent.
Learning about OFW Life
It’s important for your child to understand your life as an OFW. Talk to them about your job, your daily routine, and the challenges and rewards of living abroad. Show them pictures of your workplace, your apartment, and your surroundings. Explain why you work far from home and how your efforts benefit the family. This can help alleviate feelings of resentment or confusion and foster a greater understanding of your sacrifices.
Celebrating Special Occasions Virtually
Don’t let distance stop you from celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Plan a virtual celebration that includes decorations, games, and special food. Send gifts in advance that they can open during the call. Sing “Happy Birthday” together, play virtual party games, and share stories about the occasion. You can also create a video montage of family and friends wishing them well. Make sure the entire family knows you’re thinking about them during special occasions.
FAQ Section
Q: My child is very young and has a short attention span. How can I keep them engaged?
Keep activities short and simple. Focus on interactive activities like singing songs, reading picture books, or playing simple games. Use puppets, silly voices, and lots of enthusiasm to capture their attention. Remember to take breaks and let them move around if they get restless. Frequency is more important than duration; regular 5-10 minute calls can be more effective than infrequent long calls.
Q: My child complains that video calls are boring. What can I do?
Ask them what they find boring about the calls and incorporate their suggestions. Introduce new and exciting activities, like virtual field trips or themed dress-up games. Let them take the lead in choosing activities and planning the calls. Also, be sure to actively listen and engage with them during the call. Remember, it’s a two-way conversation, not just a one-way presentation.
Q: I have limited internet access. Are there still ways to connect meaningfully?
Absolutely! Even without reliable video calls, you can still connect. Send handwritten letters, postcards, or care packages with small gifts and photos. Record voice messages or videos to share with them. Schedule regular phone calls to chat and catch up. You can also use messaging apps to send text messages and photos throughout the day.
Q: How can I ensure that my child feels loved and supported even though I’m not physically there?
Consistency is key. Make an effort to communicate with them regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. Tell them you love them and that you’re thinking about them. Be present during your calls and listen attentively to what they have to say. Celebrate their achievements and offer encouragement during difficult times. Work with the caregiver to give the child physical affection and a reminder that you will be back.
Q: What if my child is reluctant to talk on video calls?
Don’t force them. Start by simply being present on the call, even if you’re just doing something else in the background. Gradually try to engage them in conversation by asking them about their day or showing them something interesting. You can also try playing a game or reading a story together. Over time, they may become more comfortable opening up. If the reluctance persists, talk to them about what may be bothering them and find alternative ways to connect.
Q: How do I deal with the guilt of being away from my child?
Acknowledge your feelings and allow yourself to grieve the time you’re missing. Remember that you’re working hard to provide a better future for your child. Focus on making the most of the time you do have together, both virtually and in person. Talk to other OFWs or a therapist for support. Self-compassion and self-care are also extremely important, so carve out time to relax and recharge. Remember, taking care of yourself allows you to be a better parent.
References
- UNICEF. (2011). Impact of parental migration on children left behind in the Philippines.
- Scalabrini Migration Center. (2014). Left Behind: The Impact of Migration on Children.
Missing your children is one of the hardest parts of being an OFW, but connecting meaningfully is achievable. Don’t let geographical distance hinder your relationship. Start implementing some of these activities today and witness the positive impact on your connection with your children. Take the first step today by scheduling a fun activity for your next call!
