For Filipino families with a loved one working abroad (an OFW), the biggest challenge isn’t always the distance, but the time difference. Juggling work calls, school schedules, and precious family moments across different time zones can feel like a constant puzzle. But don’t worry, it’s not impossible! With a little planning and some handy tricks, you can bridge the gap and stay connected. This article offers practical tips and real-life examples to help your OFW family thrive, even with the time zone challenge.
Understanding the Time Zone Difference
First things first, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about time zones. The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each roughly corresponding to 15 degrees of longitude. When your OFW family member moves to a different country, they’re likely entering a different time zone, causing a discrepancy with the time back home in the Philippines. This means that when it’s daytime in the Philippines, it might be nighttime where they are, and vice-versa.
Knowing the specific time difference is absolutely crucial. Don’t just guess! Use a reliable online time zone converter like TimeAndDate.com or The Time Zone Converter to get the exact difference. For example, if your OFW is working in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, there’s a +4 hours time difference; if they’re in New York, USA the difference is -12 hours (Eastern Time) during standard time and -13 hours during daylight saving time. Remember to always factor in Daylight Saving Time (DST), or Summer Time, as some countries adjust their clocks during specific months which impacts the difference. This constant shift affects most planning.
Planning for Communication: The Key is Scheduling
Spontaneous calls are great, but they’re not always realistic when dealing with time differences. Planning is your best friend. Setting up a regular communication schedule ensures that everyone knows when to expect a call and can adjust their schedules accordingly.
Consider creating a family calendar, either digital or physical, showing available slots for communication. This calendar should clearly display the time in both locations (Philippines and the OFW’s location). Color-coding can also be helpful, for example, using green for times everyone is typically free, yellow for potentially busy times, and red for times that are definitely unavailable.
Here’s an example: Let’s say your OFW is in Canada (Toronto). They work a typical 9 AM to 5 PM job (Eastern Time) which is 9 PM to 5 AM in the Manila timezone (GMT+8). The best time to call could be 8 AM to 9 AM EST (8 PM to 9 PM in Manila) during weekdays. Weekends are more flexible since they are typically off from work. This requires coordination across different time zones.
Don’t forget to rotate when possible. Try switching the call times so that one week, the OFW has to wake up a little earlier, and the next week, the family back home takes the early shift. Sharing the burden can prevent resentment and ensures everyone gets quality time.
Leveraging Technology for Time Zone Coordination
Thankfully, we live in a world with amazing technology that can make time zone management much easier. There are several apps and tools designed specifically for this purpose.
Shared Calendars: Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and similar platforms allow you to create shared calendars that everyone in the family can access. You can add events, set reminders, and automatically convert times to each person’s local time zone. This way, everyone knows exactly when a meeting or call is scheduled, regardless of their location. For example, if you schedule a video call for 8 PM Manila time, Google Calendar will automatically show it as 8 AM Eastern Time for someone in Toronto.
Messaging Apps with Time Zone Features: WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber are popular choices for OFW families. They allow free calls, text messages, and picture/video sharing using just an internet connection. These app’s recent updates provides features that supports time zone conversions.
Time Zone Converter Apps: In addition to websites, several mobile apps offer time zone conversion functionality. These apps are handy for quickly checking the time in different locations and can be useful for spontaneous communication. World Time Buddy is a great cross-platform option.
Video Conferencing with Time Zone Support: Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype are essential for video calls. Some platforms automatically detect each participant’s time zone and display the time accordingly. This eliminates confusion during meetings, allowing each participant to join when it’s convenient for them.
Making the Most of Asynchronous Communication
Not every conversation needs to be live. Asynchronous communication, such as sending messages, emails, and videos, allows you to communicate at your own pace without worrying about time zone differences.
Voice Notes and Video Messages: Apps like WhatsApp and Messenger allow you to send voice notes and short video messages. This is a great way to share quick updates, express emotions, and feel more connected, even when you can’t talk in real-time. For example, an OFW could record a short video message of their day to share with their family back home, or a child could record themselves singing a song for their parent.
Shared Photo Albums and Journals: Creating a shared photo album or online journal is a fantastic way to document everyday life and share memories with your OFW family member. You could use platforms like Google Photos or a private blog to upload photos and videos, write about your experiences, and leave comments for each other. This helps the OFW feel like they are still part of the family’s daily routine, even from afar.
Email and Chat Groups: Sending emails and participating in family chat groups can help keep everyone in the loop. Share important announcements, updates, and even just funny memes to maintain a sense of togetherness. Remember to be mindful of the recipient’s time zone and avoid sending messages at inconvenient hours.
Specific Scenarios and Tips
Let’s look at some specific scenarios that OFW families often face and how to navigate the time zone challenges.
Children’s Bedtime Stories: Reading bedtime stories to children is a cherished tradition that can be kept alive even with the distance. If the time difference makes it difficult to read live, record yourself reading the story and send it to your child to listen to before bed. Alternatively, schedule a video call on weekends when the OFW has more flexibility.
Birthdays and Special Occasions: Make birthdays and special occasions extra special by planning ahead. Send gifts, cards, and heartfelt messages in advance. You can also schedule a video call at a time that works for everyone to celebrate together virtually. Consider having a “virtual party” where everyone can dress up, sing songs, and share stories.
Family Emergencies: In case of a family emergency, it’s important to have a plan in place for how to communicate quickly and effectively. Designate a contact person who can relay information between the Philippines and the OFW. Use messaging apps with push notifications to ensure that urgent messages are received immediately. Ensure the OFW has the correct phone numbers and contact information for everyone at home.
Important Family Meetings: For important family discussions, such as financial decisions or healthcare matters, schedule a dedicated meeting time that works for everyone. Prepare an agenda in advance to ensure that the meeting stays on track. Use video conferencing to allow everyone to participate fully, regardless of their location.
Adjusting Expectations and Embracing Flexibility
It’s crucial to remember that life happens. Schedules can change, emergencies can arise, and sometimes, communication just won’t go as planned. Adjusting your expectations and embracing flexibility are essential for maintaining strong relationships despite the time difference.
Be Understanding: Recognize that your OFW family member is likely facing a lot of challenges in their new environment. They may be working long hours, dealing with culture shock, or feeling homesick. Be understanding and patient when they are not able to communicate as frequently as you would like. Prioritize quality over quantity in your communication.
Be Adaptable: Be prepared to adjust your schedule to accommodate the time difference. This may mean waking up early or staying up late to talk to your loved one. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that work for everyone. If your OFW cannot make it to a family event, consider recording a video message to share with the rest of the family.
Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge and celebrate the small victories in your communication efforts. Did you successfully schedule regular video calls for a month? Did you manage to surprise your OFW with a thoughtful gift? Take time to appreciate these moments and recognize the effort that everyone is putting in to stay connected. Every effort counts.
The Mental and Emotional Toll
While technology helps, it’s important to acknowledge the mental and emotional toll that time differences (and distance) can have on an OFW family. Feelings of loneliness, isolation, and disconnect are common.
Open Communication: Encourage everyone to be open and honest about their feelings. Create a safe space where family members can share their emotions without judgment. If someone is feeling down or stressed, listen empathetically and offer support. Avoid minimizing their feelings or offering unsolicited advice.
Prioritize Self-Care: Remind everyone to prioritize self-care. Encourage your OFW to engage in activities they enjoy, such as exercising, reading, or spending time with friends. Encourage your family members back home to do the same. Taking care of oneself is essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Even the smallest act can help.
Seek Professional Help: If anyone is struggling to cope with the emotional challenges of being separated, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. Mental health resources are available in both the Philippines and many other countries. Remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Never belittle someone’s feelings.
Real-Life Examples: Making It Work
Let’s look at some real-life examples of how OFW families have successfully navigated time zone challenges:
The Santos Family: Maria, an OFW in London, makes it a point to video call her children every Saturday morning (London time) when they’re getting ready for school in Manila. This allows her to see them and chat with them before they start their day. She also sends them recorded bedtime stories during the week.
The Reyes Family: Jose, an OFW in Dubai, uses a shared Google Calendar to coordinate schedules with his wife in Manila. They have designated “date nights” where they watch movies together online or play online games. He also sends her surprise gifts on special occasions to show her that he’s thinking of her.
The Cruz Family: Elena, an OFW in Canada, makes use of asynchronous communications. She uploads pictures of her everyday experiences to a shared online album so her parents in the Philippines can feel more involved in her life. They send her encouraging messages and comments to show their love and support.
These examples show that although it requires effort, keeping up with family and friends is possible despite the distance and time differences, bringing the family closer.
Future-Proofing Your Communication Strategy
The world and technology are constantly changing. You need to stay updated to ensure your communication strategy remains effective.
Keep an eye on new apps and platforms. New communication tools are developed, and these might cater to a niche or fill a gap in how you are communicating with your family. Test them out to see if they make daily communication more effective.
Be open to changing communication needs. As children age, they might prefer chatting over texting, or they may spend more hours in online gaming and less on video calls. Adjust your communication patterns to cater to each one’s individual needs, and that will keep relationships strong.
Periodically review and adjust approach. Technology changes as well as habits. What worked for you and your family last year may not work today. Spend time tweaking and adjusting how you stay connected to ensure the family is always together, even when miles apart.
FAQ Section
Here are some frequently asked questions about managing time zone differences in OFW families:
Q: How can I prevent missed calls due to time zone confusion?
A: Use a reliable time zone converter website or app to double-check the time in both locations before scheduling a call. Set alarms and reminders with the correct time zone to avoid missing important calls. Communicate clearly with your family members about the agreed-upon time, specifying the time zone.
Q: What’s the best way to communicate with young children across different time zones?
A: Keep the communication short, engaging, and age-appropriate. Use video calls to allow them to see your face and hear your voice. Read them stories, sing songs, or play simple games together online. Send them voice notes or video messages if you can’t talk live. Create special traditions like regularly reading bedtime stories or celebrating birthdays together online.
Q: How do I deal with feelings of loneliness and disconnect when my family is far away?
A: Acknowledge and validate your feelings. Stay connected with friends and family through regular communication. Engage in activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good. Join support groups or online communities where you can connect with other OFWs or family members of OFWs. Seek professional help if you are struggling to cope with your emotions.
Q: My OFW family member is working very long hours and is often unavailable. How can I stay connected?
A: Be understanding and patient. Prioritize quality over quantity in your communication. Send text messages, emails, or voice notes to let them know you’re thinking of them. Share photos and videos of your daily life. Schedule short video calls or phone conversations when they are available, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Focus on making the most of the time you do have together.
Q: How do you deal with conflicting work schedules and family obligations to have family calls?
A: Communicate with the entire family and let each understand each other’s constraints. Be collaborative in finding schedules that work for everyone involved. If most of the time finding a common time is challenging, try communicating asynchronously. Don’t get tired of communicating. Overtime, things will lighten up.
Q: How do I manage expectations from family members back home when I am unable to attend special occasions.
A: Be upfront about your work schedule and limitations as soon as possible. Set the expectations early on. Communicate that you are doing your best to be present (even remotely). Explore how to make the occasion special in a way that you are involved. If not possible, you can make plans for another event.
References
These references were used to gather information to create the article, and we highly recommend to review these sources if you want to learn extensively more of OFW family dynamics and communication practices.
- Scalabrini Migration Center. (2023). Filipinos Overseas: Facts and Figures 2022. Quezon City, Philippines.
- Parreñas, R. S. (2001). Servants of globalization: Women, migration, and domestic work. Stanford University Press.
- Asis, M. M. B. (2006). The Philippines’ culture of migration. Migration Information Source.
- OECD (2023), Is migration good for the economy?, Migration Policy Debates, No. 23, OECD Publishing, Paris.
Staying connected across time zones is a challenge, but it’s absolutely achievable with a bit of effort and the right strategies. It’s all about embracing technology, planning ahead, being flexible, and prioritizing open communication.
Ready to strengthen your family bonds, regardless of the distance? Start today! Create a shared calendar, set up regular communication schedules, and explore the technology available. It might seem daunting at first, but every small step you take will make a big difference in keeping your OFW family connected and thriving. We hope this information helps you on your journey.
Now, share this article with a fellow OFW family to help them bridge the time zone gap, too!
