There may be many reasons why parents and kids can’t be together, with divorce, military service and business travel being a few of the more obvious ones. In all cases, however, the pain of separation is palpable for parents and kids alike. Kids miss their parents and may feel abandoned. Parents miss their kids and may feel guilt and concern about their kids’ emotional well-being.

As parents we want two things. First, we want our kids to grow up to be emotionally healthy and successful adults. Second, we want to experience all the joy and satisfaction of being an integral part of the adventures on their paths to adulthood.

Nothing can replace a hug or a kiss on the cheek, or being at your child’s kindergarten play, or cheering along the sidelines at their first soccer game. Yet, technology is easing the challenges of distance parenting, making it easier for you and your kids to stay connected. Cell phones are abundant. Access to computers has become commonplace, whether at home or at the local library. Moreover, as the capability and prevalence of technology increases, the cost of its use decreases. A capable laptop computer can now be had for less than the price of a typical plane ticket. It is now routine for kids and parents to stay connected by phone and email.

In the last few years, computer video technology has made it simple and cost-effective to have face-to-face calls with your kids via computers equipped with webcams. Since it has been suggested that about two-thirds of all communication is non-verbal, video communication can be a far more effective and satisfying way of communicating with your kids, and they with you. And in the future, you may be able to have more convenient and spontaneous video calls with each other by using only your handheld phones. For now, web-based video phone services such as Skype (skype.com) can get you going by computer.

More recently, technology is being configured to go beyond voice and video communications technologies by giving us tools needed to be even more interactive and more closely connected with our kids. Virtual visitation is becoming a reality. By using a multi-functional tool such as etendi BRIDGE (www.etendi.com), we can now have video calls and simultaneously play online games together, help with homework, and view and discuss photos, videos, or other images together. This tool also encourages parents and kids to build and share online photo collections or scrap albums. When not online together, parents and kids can leave short “thinking of you” notes, as well as longer messages. A shared calendar is also included and helpful for both parents to maintain a shared parenting plan.

Now more than ever, technology provides long distance parents the opportunity to love their kids across the miles.