Wednesday, January 13, 2010

How I'm Reconnecting With My Family in 2010 - If You Can Call It That





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To enter: Just leave me a comment below and tell me What are your best tips and/or ideas for keeping your family connected and communicating in the New Year - (No, it cannot include duct tape)?

OR you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below.

The contest will begin at 1/13/2010 and will end 2/09/2010.
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NOW Getting to 10 in 2010:
My Top 10 List of Ideals to Keep Your Family Connected:


I recently got back from that much needed holiday trip to visit my parents and my brother - you know, encouraging that biological connection. The bro just bought a new house, redid the floors, is redoing the kitchen to the tune of some $15-20,000 and also moved my parents in with him.


Talk about a Saint! And yes, he's single if anyone wants to know (successful too - owns a convertible!), and I'll be accepting resumes' and applications on his behalf. Don't forget to include DNA samples.


I took the whole crew with me, sans the man I share parental responsibilities with, packed up and headed down the road with the van so loaded that I swear I heard the tires screaming for mercy the whole way up to Ala-BAMA!


I thought it was going to be the road trip from hell when it started out by Nia pouring her cup of orange juice all over my cream colored Victoria's Secret, paid out the ass for it, sweater. I spent a half an hour in the Waffle House bathroom washing it out only to come out still dripping wet with 4 angry women holding themselves in various positions of dire desperation, while waiting for me to exit some time that year!


Then the hubs car battery died! The day was NOT looking good. Nothing like a Waffle House full of patrons watching you, your son, and the hubs pushing a BMW through the parking lot to line it up for difib! At least it looked classy with the top down while we were doing it.


After several bathroom stops, multitudes of conversations about respectfulness, being loving to one another, and you better behave while at Nana and Grandpa's house or else; we finally arrived in all our abundant, overpacked, glory! The car literally exploded when it came time to unload it.


And why did we have to bring every pillow and blanket we own? Oh yeah, cause we're having our ice age moment down here.


After the usual Nana feeding them five pounds of collective sugar concoctions, we settled into our respect rooms and the kids took over. It took every ounce of energy I had to keep Nia from hanging like a monkey from my other brother's antique canopy bed he had just traveled 500 miles to buy. The twins were already forming a line at my other brother's computer and doing the "I gotta harvest my crops on Farmville" mantra.


Is there a 12-step group forming for Farmville yet, that we can join?


Didn't I mention that my other older brother moved in there too? Uh, no - it is not a set up for a new reality series named "Unmarried With Parents"!


Anyway!



The kids began to detox from their various technological gadgets they were so accustomed to at our house, without the assistance of psychotropic drugs! Miracles do happen folks! As they did, a new form of behavior emerged. I think archeologists call it "the family unit"!


My God my kids were getting along without the assistance of several borrowed nightclub bouncers as well!


As I observed their increasingly desired connection skills, I thought that it was time to change things around this year. 2010 would be a year that I would reconnect my family's plus and get the communication flowing without out the dams of resistance getting in our way.


I know that sounded stupid, but it's all I could think of at the moment! I'm still tired from the trip and the whole repacking the holiday ornamental thing, okay.


So I sat down and made another list after I put that New Year's resolution list to the side since, so far, I haven't managed to hide shove it into some secret compartment in my office.


So here are my top 10 things to work on this year:



  • Unplug every electronic gadget that the kids deem as "fun time" from every socket in the house. This means gathering the Xbox 360, the Wii, the Wii Balance (I just gave my fat cells the okay to have a "Come Grow With Us" party), 4 Nintendo DS's, one Leapster, one Gameboy, and anything else the kids will manage to smuggle in under my "family improvement" nose. The kids will now have to bribe me with nights off from dinner and all the foot massages I can handle before I will allot them one hour of free time on their favorite techno-gadget of choice. They connect with me, they can get plugged back in themselves.
  • Hide all cellphones, iPods, iPhones, and the like cause I forgot to mention these above and the twins are tweens going on teens and I need more medication chocolate and coffee before I'll see actual results from this one. Communicate to them which chocolate I prefer, and how I like my coffee in the morning before allowing them to use said electronics freely.
  • Attach pay-as-you-go slots on the computer. Each 15 minutes will cost my family $1.00; omitting my computer of course (here comes the waiting line now!). The money will be well spent on redesigning my closet couture books for everyone to read.
  • Hire an in-house personal therapist to help deal with the screaming matches issues that me and my Lexapro can't seem to unravel/fix/duct tape. Add a referee to that list as well. I have a few extra black and white striped shirts (Betsy Johnson designed, of course!). I wonder if Dr. Phil could be free.... for about six months!
  • Speaking of books; I've made a list here of ones I think my family will enjoy reading and discussing together this year, since I have managed to raise kids who love books better than iCarly (another miracle moment here). Here's a few suggested reads:
  1. "Talking To Your Family Below Decibel Level 100" by Bro. Ken Eardrums.
  2. "How To Clean The Bathroom Without Your Mom Nagging" by I.P. Freely
  3. "How To Talk To Your Son" by Willie Talk and Betty Won't
  4. "The Art of Family Communications" by Dooris Slammers
  5. "Reconnecting With Your Family" by E.L. Rick Bill


  • I am completely applauding the extra use of duct tape this year. I hear this works wonders in the reconnecting department. Nia is already picking out hot pink; Toni is opting for purple. The twins are fighting over who will get blue. I just want to know how many rolls come in a case.
  • To bring us closer together, we have decided to get a dog. Animals have that magic ability to bring a family together. I think wrapping the twins hands together with that duct tape around the dogs leash while walking it at 5 a.m., will make them much closer than ever. I'm sure they will find many ways to work together to get the "job" done. Toni and Nia have already volunteered to "groom" the dog since Nia got her Rockstar Makeover Vanity complete with hair trimming gear!
  • The hubs has also volunteered to help out more with cleaning the kitchen after dinner so that the rest of the kids can actually finish their homework each night and not have to do all the dishes which always sometimes results in severe some arguing. He bought paper plates and cups; how thoughtful!
  • I have decided to form Family Meeting Night on the first Friday of every month. This will give us all time to sit down together as a family and yell discuss out our grievances while working towards hair pulling solutions.
  • And of course, I will emphasize the meaning of love in our family because after all, we are a family.

Thank you God for Lexapro!


So that's my handy-dandy (oh yes, I DID say that), self-help list that received absolute no help from Dr. Phil or Oprah, if you can believe it. I hope you find that it helps to serve issues you may have in your own family.

As for me, it will do absolutely nothing at all!

Whose up for a game of Wii Outdoor Challenge in the meantime?



Rules for the Sweepstakes:

  • No duplicate comments.
  • You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
  • You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
  • This giveaway is open to US-residents, aged 18 and older
  • Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
  • You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
  • Please see the official rules here
CONGRATULATIONS TO JILL AT "THE KENNEDY BOYS - CARINGBRIDGE"
FOR WINNING THIS BLOGHER SWEEPSTAKES!
THANKS FOR ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!!

134 comments:

  1. Not entering, just commenting. :)

    That was one HECK of an entry on your family. I love reading entries like this. It's sort of a window in the life behind the blog.

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  2. I'd love to be able to have dinner together every night :) Not sure if this is possible but we will try our best.

    jillk77 at aol dot com

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  3. What a life you lead. Never a dull moment in this family. I think you have the right idea about bringing them together. Charging $1.00 for 15 minutes of computer time is cheap...but my guess it will add up after three hours a day. The dog is a good idea until you get the argument on whose dog does it really belong to when it comes to feeding and cleaning up after it. Not to mention the bath. You may find yourself the only owner of the little fellow living in the house. Now this is just a guess. I maybe wrong, but using the electronics as a bargaining chip will set the tone to bringing this family together. Bible and prayer time will for sure make this a success. Beautiful family. Beautiful story.

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  4. We eat dinner together as a family every night, read books with the kids before bed, and do lots of family activities. I also make sure my husband and I get a regular date night!
    micahandkelsey1@cox.net

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  5. So we are trying to do the more unplug time which is hard since we both work from home remotely requiring use of the computer all the time. As a couple we are making a conscious effort to have just us time and with the kids...'Santa' brought bikes so we are making more time to connect by going on bike rides. We paid for a membership to the zoo...so no worries if we have to leave early if one of the twins decides to demon skin mutate on us in the middle of the trip. So yea...we pretty much sound like you C! LOL

    You always crack me up with your posts! :D
    Karie

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  6. All the communication in this household seems to consist of arguing over the computer! LOL I do so like the idea of unplugging, excellent. I would love if I didn't have to go to work as it would be so much easier to implement new rules, better yet, I wish I knew of a way to earn a steady income from my computer so I could stay home! Any suggestions?

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  7. Congrats on the site! It's about time!

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  8. Family movie night is a fun way for us to stay connected.

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  9. I blogged about this:

    http://grandgiveaways.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/sprint/

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  10. Tweet:

    http://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/7748950032

    mami2jcn at gmail dot com

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  11. I'm a techie, so my tips revolve around using technology to stay connected with family. We don't live real close to our family and we often feel out of the loop on important news in the family. I've found the following tools to be a great help in staying connected: Myfamily.com (forum based), Facebook (quick status updates), Skype (voice and video), and Email (quick way to send messages).
    mattschmunk at hotmail dot com

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  12. I plan to start a game/movie night once a month, and family dinners are a DEFINITE!!!
    mjf926 at gmail dot com

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  13. I'm glad to see that family dinners haven't gone the same way as the dinosaurs did!

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  14. I'm actually really glad that my family did family dinners together most nights when I was growing up. It's a great time to get together and hear about everyone's day. Now that my baby sister is in college and my parents are across the country, we use Skype all the time to stay in touch. I think we talk more now than we did living under the same roof!
    thisris at gmail dot com

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  15. Another CWK masterpiece. Good read and yes, we need more family time, which is getting more and more rare since Savannah went to college.

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  16. This story reminds me of the days when my family would travel to Myrtle Beach on vacation. We would leave very early in the morning to avoid heavy traffic (1960) heavy traffic??? Cell phones, computers, and ipods where still science fiction. Travel games were a deck of cards and cow poker. Cow poker was a game where you count the cows on your side of the car and if you passed a cemetary you had to bury them and start over again. Who ever had the most cows at the end of the trip won. By the way, eating at Mcdonalds was a rare thing to do. We had to eat home cooked food everyday. Boy, were did those days go? Like you we all set at the table together and you better not sing, laugh or smack your lips while you eat. A favorite thing to be asked by dad was "do you want a shovel to eat that with.
    Thanks for the blog about Family Time, it was great.

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  17. Sounds like we should go back to some of the good things of yester-year. I remember picking a car color and whoever saw the most of that color by a certain time, won.

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  18. Hmmm duck tape is out huh? LOL

    My immediate family (My husband and kids) are always connected throughout the day using today's best technology, our cell phones. We call one another throughout the day. My extended family is a whole ball of wax. They live thousands of miles away and life is so busy, I can easily let 6 months go by without calling them. So this year I have decided to schedule time on my calendar, so I will remember to stop and make a call or Facebook shout out. I am getting better with doing the calendar schedule.

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  19. Twitter link

    http://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/7775539643

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  20. To keep the family connected I believe in establishing routine and traditions. Eating dinner together and taking family vacations is a great way to open up lines of communication

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  21. We sit down and eat dinner together as a family and also try to have a family movie night each week.

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  22. To keep the family connected, pick atleast one night a week to do something fun as a family – go to a movie (or rent one), have a family game night, etc. And make sure to spend time together talking everyday.

    oldnavyash@aol.com

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  23. tweeted http://twitter.com/smash906/status/7800899654

    oldnavyash@aol.com

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  24. since my family lives a long way from me I like to use Skype to call them from my computer- that way i can use my webcamera and we can talk forever without worrying of any fees
    ann.altima at gmail dot com

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  25. I'm thinking of getting Skype myself. But then again, I just figured (after having this iMac for 2 years), that I actually have video live chat already installed and hooked up. I wonder if the twins would be interested in helping me out with this one after that foot massage.

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  26. I did board game last night and learned never to align myself against 12 year twins who are masters at "TwinGenius".

    You moms of multiples know exactly what I'm talking about here!

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  27. Ah, reconnecting with the family. There is really nothing more harrowing. On the other hand you can tell who's mad at who by seeing how trading is handled in Monopoly.

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  28. We try to have dinner together each night as a family and just TALK. It is so important to talk to your kids and really get to know them. Find out how their day went and what are their hopes and dreams.
    jedoggett@embarqmail.com

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  29. 1) Eat meals together
    2) Game night/movie night
    3) Read before bed
    4) Vacation
    5) Go to Church & pray together

    mdmerenghi@gmail.com

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  30. I think the foot massage is a great way to connect. Yeah, I'm really liking that one... LOL

    Seriously, you're such a good mom Carolyn. You have great kids, and work so hard to make sure everyone is happy. Don't forget YOUR happiness and well-being is key to everyone else's!

    DH and eldest daughter have connected BIG TIME since he started being the one responsible for getting her to school every day. They have bonded more in the last 4 months than in the last 15 years just by spending this hour or so together every day, without mom around to interfere. :) The entire family gathering at dinner to connect is vital, but finding opportunities for individuals within the family to connect with each other is important too.

    I especially like the unplugging thing. Hard to do these days, but it really does change things for the better.

    And do keep a roll of duct tape in the garage, just for emergencies :)

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  31. Lim... I learned exactly THAT the other night while playing Monopoly, LOL!

    Christianne... Individual connections are SO important, I agree immensely. I learned that with the twins because if I didn't, the need for competition became more intense.

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  32. we sold our TV, which really encourages family-togetherness

    artisticbaker at gmail dot com

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  33. tweeted

    http://twitter.com/artisticbaker/statuses/7909752488

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  34. Here are my plans:
    1) family plan on the cellphone
    2) regular dinners as a family
    3) outtings

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  35. A family that eats together, stays happy together.
    I think it is a good idea to try and always eat at least 1 meal a day together to connect and talk about each others day.

    sarahjd766 at yahoo dot com

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  36. Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/miss_moneymaker/status/7920945303

    sarahjd766 at yahoo dot com

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  37. I stay connected with my sister who lives in another state through Facebook. We can just jot down our thoughts to share with each other immediately and there's no pressure to answer right away. We chat back and forth all day long, but in little bits. Of course, when we really want to chat, we pick up the phone!

    Kim
    turtles8861(at)gmail(dot)com

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  38. we have a family website that we all post pictures and important info. It's a great way to stay connected to each other in our busy lives.

    jennyhasquads (at) yahoodotcom

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  39. We aim to have dinner together each evening and reconnect on what happened during the day. It's an undervalued pasttime these days!

    carmensechristjunk at gmail dot com

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  40. Supper together! We do it as often as possible.
    joyful[dot]too[at]gmail[dot]com

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  41. We limit the kids TV time during the week forcing them to turn it off once in awhile and play a game together or read something fun together!

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  42. Your list was hysterical! I loved it.
    I really think you can't beat having family dinner time every night without distractions.
    I have two at college and texting is great for staying connected to them.

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  43. tweeted http://twitter.com/annedoggett/status/8012081889
    jedoggett@embarqmail.com

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  44. Very best tip for keeping my family connected in the new year...SKYPE!! Set up a time each week to video chat with all the family is fun and the best thing to do, next to being physically in the same place, which can be hard. I love video chating with my family. Also, keeping instant messenger open all day, so family can leave messages as well as chat through out the day when we are lucky enough to be around at the same time.

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  45. http://twitter.com/EpicTegan/status/8015581453

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  46. On the weekends, we like to go for family bike rides or hikes. We haven't done as much of that this winter, but I vow that we will get back into it. Not only do we get to spend time together, but it's also a great way to stay in shape and burn off some energy for the kids.

    cookincanuck@hotmail.com

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  47. We put the laptops and cell phones away on the weekends so we can all really be together. He's our 2 year old son too, feel like he's getting our undivided attention.

    samanthajocampen at gmail

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  48. Very fun post. We had a fabulous Christmas with our teens, tween, and 20 something kid and I will try for more of the same this year. More games, movies, friends over, more meals together, and more talking and enjoying each other.
    jberntson@back2basics4kids.com

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  49. All of my family live across the country. In keep in touch with them with weekly phone calls and Facebook. Facebook is great for getting daily updates.

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  50. weekly dinners as a family - crazy as it sounds I don't know a lot of people who do this frequently and a lot of good connections and conversations spring from family meals :)

    dreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com

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  51. https://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/8103480549

    tweeted!

    dreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com

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  52. Family dinners and a date night for mom and dad!

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  53. My family knows the importance of keeping in touch. We make a point to reach out at least once a week, if not more often. Sometimes there is no news, or nothing much to say, but just hearing that person's voice lets you know they are safe and sound. With the kids, texting is the way to go. I've found that my children reach out to me more in texts than they ever do by actually talking.

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  54. tweeted http://twitter.com/tnshadylady/status/8116137400

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  55. blog link here
    http://tnshadylady.blogspot.com/2010/01/staying-connected-with-so-many-tools.html

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  56. The reason for blogging was to stay connected with family;} It even allowed others from my family to start blogging so that we could all see pics and other fun stuff that was going on in all of our lives!

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  57. Dine together every day! Take advantage of technology: facebook, skype, email, phone, etc. are all useful tools for keeping in touch.

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  58. My brothers and sister and I meet at mom's once every other month for dinner and then ofcourse theres the daily chats on facebook and emails

    nightowlmamablogs at gmail dot com

    my 4 babies and I spend all day everyday together so no worries here

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  59. For the first time since college, I once again live in my hometown -- where I was born and raised. Theoretically, this makes it much easier to stay connected with family. However - as we all know - life can get in the way. In 2010, I have resolved to do a better job at staying connected with all of my family. I will make more time to visit with my loved ones...no excuses! Additionally, we plan on hosting a big family dinner at least once a month.

    Thanks!
    Aimee
    sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

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  60. Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/Nelsby/status/8240557366
    Thanks!
    Aimee
    sierranelsby (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  61. There is one thing that I have started recently that has brought me closer to my kids and it's so simple..reading to them even though they're older. I used to read to my kids all the time when they were little but homework, me working nights and crazy schedules sort of phased it out. But recently. I've started reading a chapter a night of the Percy Jackson series to my two youngest (8 and 11) every night. My oldest who's 12 has already read them and loved them but even he listens in sometimes (perhaps to extend his bedtime!) And I am so surprised at how much they enjoy it and how much I missed those quiet times with them, laying all snug the bed looking up at me with far away eyes as they imagine the words I'm reading. I know alot of parents read to their little ones but everyone should try my simple example of reading to the older ones...it truly does make us closer

    kessandcrystal(at)aol.com

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  62. tweet: http://twitter.com/happyenchilada2/status/8251540182

    kessandcrystal(at)aol.com

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  63. My sister and I tend to have trouble catching up, so we've been making an effort to facebook chat once a week to catch up and keep informed on each others lives and families.

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  64. make time for eachother- plan family nights- movies, games, making pizza

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  65. I have 5 grandchildren that live in the same town and 4 that do not. It is easy to keep up with the
    ones in town. For the ones out of town, I created Grandma Treat Letters. One a month I send a
    letter with clip art of things that they are interested in (soccer, guitar, gymnastics, Thomas the
    train, etc) or holiday themes), usually a question for them (What is your favorite class this year,
    how do you like your new soccer team, What are you doing at preschool, etc), and three one
    dollar bills “Grandma Treat Money”. Each child has their own colored envelope so they look for
    “their” letter at the beginning of each month. I talked with the oldest granddaughter who is in her
    second year of high school because I thought she might think this was too young for her and it
    was OK if she didn’t want these but she said she liked getting them and wanted me to continue. It
    isn’t a lot but it lets them know each month that I am thinking of them.

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  66. tweet here
    http://twitter.com/Grandma3710/status/8410599083

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  67. My 2 older daughters and my grandchildren are out on their own, and I have 2 children still at home, so we keep in touch by visits and almost daily telephone calls. I also have a 'family' day each week: family game night, craft day, movie night and everyone gets together and has fun!

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  68. My husband and I have family night every Monday. Games, talking, eating, fun

    poptartcrumbs@gmail.com

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  69. facebook and blogging are great ways to keep up with what's going on in my family's lives

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  70. After I run out of duck tape - we will cook together and invite friends over to join in the feasting. It seems to be a pretty good way to stay connected.

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  71. We sit together just about every night and have family dinner. It's always a great time for us to talk and find out what's going on with everyone.

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  72. We make certain that we eat a meal together. This is at the dining table, with place settings, courses, and no tv.

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  73. I like to use Skype to call them from my computer- that way i can use my webcamera and we can talk forever without worrying of any fees

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  74. On the weekends we go out to the local restaurant chain/diner for breakfast and catch up :) it's nice

    mjharvey26 at yahoo dot com

    Joy

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  75. we plan family vacations together
    justacakebaker@gmail.com

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  76. we text each other at least once a day to stay connected.

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  77. Email is my new communication tool with my mom, who lives in another state. I bought her a netbook for Christmas and we now email back and forth a few times a week, in between our weekly phone calls.

    Clara
    cboza@vna1.com (that's a numeral "1," not a letter "l.")

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  78. Definitely write and call for overseas family members. Email, Skype, Flickr...etc. I basically use every technology you can think of. For family nearby, we'd visit and get together during holidays.

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  79. tweet.http://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/8694727038

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  80. blogged.http://tcarolinep.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-reviews-from-trenches-of.html

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  81. Choose a hobby that you can all enjoy! I show and breed dogs, and that really keeps us together. The boys are involved with caring for the dogs, socializing pups and Junior Handling. It began as my hobby, but it spread through the family like wildfire. It has really brought us all closer!

    spitfyr323 at hotmail dot com

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  82. Tweeted:

    http://twitter.com/spitfyr323/statuses/8721880558

    spitfyr323 at hotmail dot com

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  83. We have moved into social media to keep in touch Skype, Facebook, Twitter, emails and blogs help me connect with my family around the world and close by

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  84. tweeted http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/8729319349

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  85. One great way to stay connected in this new year is by using the same cellphodn service as family members since most services offers free mobile to mobile for free talking! Also, social media is a great way to stay connected via Facebook, Twitter, or Myspace. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

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  86. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/lipstickncandy/status/8729490047

    shevilkenevil1 at aol dot com

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  87. I love to send cards and notes to friends and family for no reason at all! It's so fun to get mail.

    jennifercausby at hotmail dot com

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  88. I tweeted. http://twitter.com/JCausby/status/8730028620

    jennifercausby at hotmail dot com

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  89. WE eat dinner as a family every night. WE email pictures at least once a week for extended family members who are not living close.

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  90. I think the votes are in and Skype wins! Well... they would if we were running a different sweepstakes.

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  91. One tip I have to keep family connected is to take about 1/2 hour each and every night to touch bases and see how everyone is doing...if they need to talk, etc. Of course more time is good too, but to insist on this really does help.

    mandjregan at gmail dot com

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  92. I tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/EightyMPHMom/status/8776822645

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  93. We use Skype video chat when we are away from each other and have as many meals together as possible!

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  94. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/princessla66/status/8789070834

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  95. Last year my brothers, sisters and I decided that we live too close to each other to just get together on holidays. We want our children to be close to each other and we've come to realize the importance of family time together. Phone, Facebook and texting just isn't enough.
    We've started a "family night" once a month, taking turns at each other's houses. Last month, we all went to my brother's for New Year's Day. Everyone brought a side dish to share and we all sat around in our sweat pants and watched football and celebrated the start of a new year together.
    This month, we're planning a Valentine's day party for just our family. We're going to watch some sappy movies and we're even planning on passing out valentine's cards like you had in elementary school (I bought Barbie valentine's cards for me to pass out!)...each of us has to write two things about the other person that we like or admire. It's a great way to share how we feel about each other and everybody loves to read what someone else thinks about them. Even my oldest son loves "family night" and insists on knowing in advance what night we're having it so he can request off from his part-time job.

    shel704 at aol dot com

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  96. Blogged:
    http://auntiethesis.blogspot.com/2010/02/keeping-that-family-connection-sprint.html

    shel704 at aol dot com

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  97. Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/8801869694

    shel704 at aol dot com

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  98. Take a walk in the neighborhood. Go sledding and enjoy the snow.

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  99. This year we are making a concerted effort to watch TV a lot less and actually talk to each other!
    Angie
    one 4 earth at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  100. I tweeted this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/FotoMacro/status/8809557447
    Angie
    one 4 earth at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. One thing we are doing differently this year is to have more meals at home and have them at the dining table instead of at the computer and TV and that way we are not so distracted and can actually catch up with each other every night.
    Scott
    nynekats at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. tweeted http://twitter.com/RePurrPussed/status/8809620395
    Scott
    nynekats at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  103. Family dinner is a big way for us to stay connected, and we eat together almost every night and talk about our days.

    ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

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  104. I blogged
    http://lunaj1456.blogspot.com/2010/02/keep-your-family-connect-and-win.html

    ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

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  105. My family has discovered video chat via oovoo (which allows for multiple video screens at once) or skype. Since we are spread across the country from Hawaii to NYC and in between it helps us keep up with the rapidly growing little ones.

    kristilynngibson (at) gmail (dot) com

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  106. Having dinner together & watching movies together are good ways to keep connected. And finding things to laugh about together.

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

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  107. tweet
    http://twitter.com/pixie13sweeps/status/8819136769

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

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  108. We eat breakfast and dinner together every day. We have a family game night. I try to have one of my kids cook dinner with me every day.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    s.mickelson at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  109. blogged
    http://pixie13-justconteststuff.blogspot.com/2010/01/200-visa-gc-from-blogher-sprint.html

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  110. I stay connected to my family in a variety of ways. I have a teenager, 3 yr old, and 18 month old so therein lies the challenge. I think it's important to have family time but it's equally important to spend quality time with each child individually. With my teenage daughter, I like to hang out with her and help with homework, or just listen to music. Our favorite thing is to go to the mall and shop! My 3 yr old loves to play games so when the younger goes to bed, we play Hi Ho Cherry O or Play Doh or just read books. My favorite time with my youngest is in a Play and Learn Class at Gymboree. It's fun for the two of us. candaceotto32 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  111. I blogged about this giveaway. http://cace-readysetwin.blogspot.com/2010/02/200-visa-gift-card.html
    candaceotto32 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  112. I am trying to get all of my family on facebook mobile and texting!

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  113. Our kids are grown, and 1 lives out of state, so cell phone calls, texting, emails, and facebook helps us stay in touch on a daily basis. We’re all busy, but we keep up-to-date with each other’s lives, so we feel like we’re never far from each other.

    ReplyDelete
  114. I Tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/amylou61/status/8840244232

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  115. Blogged:
    http://fibrofoggy.blogspot.com/2010/02/9-chances-to-win-200-from-blogher.html

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  116. My kids are 6, 3 and 6 months so I stay connected with them by getting down on the floor and playing with them. We always have a blast!
    ag1414@hotmail.com

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  117. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/ag1414/status/8841153167
    ag1414@hotmail.com

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  118. I have a personal blog and a personal Facebook account. We keep in touch using those and the phone.

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  119. tweet http://twitter.com/vlbsweeps/status/8842422263

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  120. tweet http://vickieb52.blogspot.com/2010/02/win-visa-gift-card.html

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  121. we keep connected through emails, social networks, and phone calls.

    shopgurl101 AT gmail DOT com

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  122. tweeted: https://twitter.com/shopgurl/status/8846490828

    shopgurl101 AT gmail DOT com

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  123. We try and keep connected through phone calls and emails. Hate to say it, but email seems so much easier with everyone's busy schedules and the different time zones we live in.

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  124. I think nightly famiy dinners are the best way to keep the family connected!

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  125. I think scheduled emails might be nice. Maybe a once a week "family newsletter" or something of the sort. Also, its super convenient to have a cell phone for staying in touch, especially in the case of emergencies!

    -annalene
    email address is visible in profile

    ReplyDelete
  126. We can't always have dinner together but my family eats at least one meal together a day. Sometimes my husband works late so we have breakfast together before he has to go. Its a great way to stay connected.

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  127. I don't have my own blog but I follow tons of them.:)

    I have lived out of state from my mom, sis and immediate family for over 25 years.We stay connected with daily phone calls, emails. We see each other at least 3 times a year.

    aunteegem@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  128. I tweeted
    http://twitter.com/lunaj1456/status/8872408067

    ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

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  129. family far away we send cards and emails the hubby kids and I go far a walk every week with no distractions it makes great family time and it is free! eaglesforjack@gmail.com

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  130. http://twitter.com/eaglesforjack/status/8874762323
    i tweeted!

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  131. we are texters we shorten everything and text away

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  132. i tweeted the giveaway
    http://twitter.com/SWAGBUCKSIGNUP/status/8927821657

    ReplyDelete