Dana Gutkowski
Latest posts by Dana Gutkowski (see all)
- How can I be a good aunt? - May 19, 2021
- Aunt Quotes - March 19, 2021
- End Your Silence. Support Black Lives Matter - June 29, 2020
It’s a common complaint that people are on their phones way too much. It’s plastered to our hands, as our eyes are clued to the screen, and our fingers tirelessly scroll, text, comment, and post.
And I must agree, it’s a pet peeve of mine to be having a conversation with someone while they’re double tapping pictures their Instagram feed. However, I do love my iPhone and it is a tool I use to maintain a close bond with my nieces and nephews.
For example, as a long distance Aunt it’s tough for me to be involved in their everyday lives. The distance is one thing, but then add in school, activities, my work schedule, their parents work schedule, etc. It’s a lot to factor in, yet we always make time for each other, even it’s just on the phone.
Though being a long distance Aunt isn’t easy, technology does allow for it to become easier. Whether you have an iPhone or Android, using your phone to play with your niece or nephew is a great way for you to bond during your time away from one another.
There are great apps out there that every long distance Aunt should look into getting to engage more with the children in their lives who live far away.
Here’s my list of 6 Apps I use to make the best out of the distance, have fun, and stay connected to my family:
1.) FaceTime
Take full advantage of FaceTime. With one click of a button you can see your family in realtime at any given moment.
It’s great for a quick pop-in to say hello, but one of my favorite things to do with FaceTime is to make a dinner date with my family. It’s no secret that kids have small attention spans. I’m sure you’ve been in a scenario where you’re on a call, and somehow the phone winds up on the floor. Then you’re left staring at the ceiling fan shouting “HELLOOOO??!!!”.
That’s why I like dinnertime. The kids have to (at least for a little while) sit down and have dinner at the table. As your sister or brother to make another place setting for your floating head.
It’s a way to share a meal, laugh together, and tell stories about your day. Ask questions about school and playfully offer up a bite of whatever you’re eating. What’s also great is you never have to worry about the dreaded ceiling fan.
Additionally, if you can’t be with each other in person for birthdays, you can FaceTime to sing and blow out the candles.
I usually light at least on candle on my end of the camera to see if the kids can blow it out from 500 miles away. My two year old nephew is the only one who’s fooled, but it’s still fun.
2.) Voice Notes
When my niece and nephews come to visit, we have a nightly routine where I tuck them in, read them a short book or watch a short show on Netflix, kiss them goodnight, and listen to the sounds of the ocean until they fall asleep. I’m sure you have your own bedtime routine with yours too.
Unfortunately, you can’t do that nearly as often as you would like, and phone calls can be a little too distracting. For whatever reason, my niece and nephews seem to get an adrenaline rush once the lay eyes on their pajamas. One’s always dancing naked in the hall. Another one’s hiding in a closet (also unclothed). And the third one is laughing hysterically at the other two’s antics.
Since bedtime can be a little chaotic for parents, it’s not a good idea to add an additional distraction into the mix. Don’t use FaceTime for bed. Instead, supplement it by sending a voice note via text for the kids.
I say,
“Goodnight my little shrimps. I love you and I miss you very much. Sweet dreams. Mwwwah!”
She can play it once she’s able to get them settled, dressed, and finally under the covers. You can’t be there in person, but at least they get to hear your voice before bed. The best part is when they send one right back to you.
I often get,
“Goodnight Bitay. I love you so much. Miss you too.”
Melts my heart.
3. Snapchat
When I’m with my niece and nephews I’m constantly playing with them, and I’m sure you’re the same.
Does this sound familiar? One wants to do play-doh, one wants to be pushed on the swing, the one wants to do bubbles.
You try your best to make time for all of them. But when you’re apart, which is most of the time, you miss being pulled in different directions, along with all the laughter and fun you have together.
On my last visit, with my sister’s permission, I introduced them to Snapchat on their iPad. And what’s the best part of SnapChat? In my opinion, the filters. I make a short video or snap a pic with one of the crazy filters distorting my face, send it off, and they send one right back.
It’s your virtual play date so to speak. Sometimes they video chat me, and we use the filters right on our call. Plain and simple, it’s a fun way we can play from far away. So far their favorite filter is the hotdog where our faces are placed inside a giant dancing hotdog.
I highly recommend trying this with your nieces and nephews.
4.) JibJab
One of the best ways to maintain a close bond is through laughter. When you can share a laugh with someone, you immediately feel closer to them.
It’s no different with kids. What’s a great way to make kids laugh? Show them you remember what it’s like to be a kid and get silly with them.
JibJab is a fun app that allows you take pictures of people and place them inside gifs (unlike Snapchat where you mainly use live photos). I’m a big fan of putting my dogs faces in places that they don’t belong, like human bodies and on other animals.
Send these over via text. It’s a sure way to get a laugh out of the kids. The older they get, the more fun they’ll have with it.
My eldest niece is turning 12, so she’s able to take full advantage of the fun and send back her own creations. She’ll make a mini movie featuring several family members and pets set it to music. It’s hysterical.
5.) Bitmoji
What kid wouldn’t want to make their own cartoon version of themselves? I’m 34 and I think it’s fantastic (yes, my Bitmoji has blue hair). Again, this is for laughs, but it’s also a great way for little ones to communicate.
My nieces who are 12 and 8 years old can read and write, but Jayden who’s 5 cannot. I sat down with Jayden and went through all the steps to build his own avatar (again, with my sister’s permission).
Even if your little ones don’t read yet, most are pretty tech savvy and will love to see their personal emoji depicted in different scenarios. Pictures can be sent via Snapchat, but they can also be texted with a little help from Mommy or Daddy.
My niece, Layla, loves to send them over at bedtime just to tell me she loves me.
6. TinyBeans
Storage can sometimes become a problem with all the photos and videos we take and collect from family. TinyBeans is a digital photo album and journal.
With Tinybeans parents can upload pictures, decorate them with fun stickers and share with the whole family! The best part about this is it can be used with or without a smart phone. You pick who sees the album.
So the next time you have a visit with your little ones, you can take pictures and create entire albums of your times together!
Technology is forever improving our lives. Yes, it can divide us and keep us separated from human contact, but in this scenario is does just the opposite to me. These aren’t my sole means of staying in touch with my family, but they are an ingredient in the glue that holds us together. Could I still be a awesome Aunt without these apps? Absolutely. But would it be this fun from so far away? Not likely.
