We hope to raise our children so that they become kind, cooperative people who will give family life high priority, who will participate in the community, who will enrich their spirits with cultural interests, and who will not let their jobs distort their lives. Sometimes, however, we also feel the need to send them away to study to make this happen. So how do you parent a child from a distance?

He or she is only out of sight: Some parents believe that children who study away from home usually grow up to be confident and self reliant adults. They think that often, because boarding schools are set in large tracts of estate and in salubrious surroundings, the child has access and facilities than a school in the city would be able to offer. Some parents also believe that their children who study in boarding schools become more confident in their outlook to life and are able to make a lot of important decisions on their own.

Dealing with the boarding bogey: Whatever the reason you decide to send your kid to boarding school, you know it will not be easy. With the advantages come the disadvantages. Parting from your child is not an easy task, because you are going to miss him/her a lot, his/her day to day growing up. He/she also misses out on some family functions and visits from relatives. But ultimately children will have to go on with their own emotional growth and development independently. A parent has to learn to let it go. So although you might be tempted to smoother or overindulge the child when he or she is at home, this is neither necessary nor sensible. Do not shower the returning child with presents. Instead, create grounds to strengthen a real relationship. Encourage a new hobby or urge a helping hand in housework.

Set the right tone for separation: Children will not feel abandoned or lonely if parents are absolutely reliable about the time and place of the pick up or drop off and remain patient and understanding during the transition period. It is vital that parents not casually break their appointments for visits and be there on special occasions. Children get hurt when they get the impression that other obligations are more important. Most psychologist advice parents to avoid bickering in front of children.

Distant parenting also warrants constantly assuring the children of love and support. It is imperative to develop a healthy line of communication with your children. This enables children to be more open with their parents, there by avoiding misunderstandings. One needs to follow a definite practical pattern of parenting with the needed flexibility, to ensure a successful relationship with children far way from you.