Moving cross country with a 7 year old

[fairejour]

My daughter and I will be moving to St. Louis from Utah at the end of this month. We will be moving for her to attend a better school (she is deaf and it will be a wonderful private school that she attended over the summer). The biggest concern is that Daddy will not be coming with us. He has to stay here for work, but will be visiting once a month for a week as well as her spending all breaks back in Utah.

So, I am looking for ways to make this move less painful for her. We are already talking about it, but this is a huge life change and I know that it will affect her, even long term. We are doing this for her future, which she won't understand, but I want her to continue to feel safe and loved and happy.

Suggestions?

[squimp]

Do you have Skype?  You can video over the internet for the cost of a web cam.  That would allow her to see her dad and to sign with him - you could schedule a time every day for him to talk with her or just see each other's faces, perhaps read a story at night.  

[fairejour]

We plan to do video conferencing either via skype, or they actually have videophones that are free for deaf people. So, we would talk everyday, visits every month, and phone calls and vaction with Daddy.

Are there red flags to watch for that mean we are facing long term emotional problems?

[Super~Single~Mama]

Originally Posted by fairejour 

We plan to do video conferencing either via skype, or they actually have videophones that are free for deaf people. So, we would talk everyday, visits every month, and phone calls and vaction with Daddy.

Are there red flags to watch for that mean we are facing long term emotional problems?

I really think that as long as BOTH of you reassure her that you are BOTH there for her, she will be fine.  Reassure her that she can always talk to either of you, that daddy is always available by phone (video phone or skype in your situation), have a calendar in her room with the dates of dad's next visit marked clearly - help her pick one out that she likes and help her write in the dates (meaning, tell her what they are - she can write them in herself with her favorite color marker or something). 

I'm sure you will get other suggestions, and I wanted to say that even though you aren't a single mom (or you might be, IDK from your post) you could ask for some ideas in the single parenting forum since there are some mom's there who live far from their children's father (or other parent).  The blended family board might also have some ideas since there are some posters there who have step kids who live far from their other parents.  Again, I know that you aren't necessarily in that situation, but there could be some good BTDT experience.