Today we have guest-blogger/Star Tribune Copy Editor/LDA (long-distance aunt) Holly Collier vying for “Favorite Aunt” status from miles away.

I’ve been in a long-distance relationship since 2002, and I need some advice. That fall was the day I got a long-awaited call at my work phone, announcing the arrival of my 7-pound 11-ounce niece. My brother-in-law: “She doesn’t look like most babies. She doesn’t look like an alien or anything.” Photos were promptly posted, confirming his observation. And I was smitten. Nope, NOTHING like an alien. Yes, she’s absolutely beautiful.

And unfortunately, absolutely too far away.

I am now auntie to three beautiful nieces, all of whom live a 13-hour drive from the Twin Cities. Also, I have a crew of sisters, all of whom live within “sure I’ll baby-sit anytime” distance of our nieces, putting me at a distinct disadvantage for the title of Favorite Aunt.

I love those girls dearly and have determined to be part of their lives. They are 4, 2 and nearly 2 now – two preschool sisters and their younger cousin. I long to be there for their birthdays, and all their big days, but it can’t always happen.

I know this is a world full of aunties and uncles and grandparents in the same boat, so I’d love your thoughts on bridging the gaps, especially as the girls get older. (Nagging their families to move here hasn’t worked.)

Phone calls have been a joy. Thank goodness 39-cent-a-minute long distance is a thing of the past. I get to hear the stories from their moms: She was dangling the digital camera over the toilet? She ATE the Easter egg dye tablets? And I talk to the girls. Those early phone calls were short and sweet. “Hi, it’s Aunt Holly, your FAVORITE Aunt Holly.” I’ve sung lullabies and recited the ABCs, but suddenly vocabulary explodes and calls are about the adventures of Dora the Explorer and how Addie really didn’t MEAN to disobey and guess WHAT? Mommy took us to Build-A-Bear and I made a bear and named it Aunt Holly!

Four-year-old Addie is visiting Minnesota soon. She’s coming with her grandma, making her first airplane trip. “Will I get to use the bathroom on the plane?” she wonders. She loves arts and crafts, especially those involving “very sticky glue.” In her own words: “Aunt Holly, we’re going to need some popsicle sticks. At least 15. Make that 30. And crayons. Do you have ALL the colors?”

Yes Addiedear, I have crayons and games and a library card and ingredients for homemade play dough. I have the car booster seat required for your height and weight. I’ll buy the special detangler your mom puts on your hair. I promise to follow your mom and dad’s rules for snacks and bedtimes and behavior. We’ll go to the Children’s Museum and Como Park. I know your enthusiasm knows no bounds. (I can’t say the same for our budget.) So Cribsheet readers, Addie and her Grandma and I need more suggestions. What are some of your favorite activities and outings for preschoolers? What has worked to help you foster long-distance ties with young relatives? Or better yet, has anyone successfully persuaded a large extended family to relocate to Minnesota ?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 at 12:21 pm and is filed under Main. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.