Have you ever listened to the sound of your child’s voice on a video or audio recording from even just a few years prior? There’s often a rush of nostalgia at just how much they’ve changed in a short period.
Have you replayed a voicemail from someone you love over and over? Or longed to hear the voice of a loved one after they have passed?
The voices of the people we love are precious beyond human measure. Like fingerprints, no two voices have the same characteristics.
Numerous studies support the idea that the human voice is a powerful tool. The tone of someone’s voice adds context to words and helps us understand someone’s emotions and perspective. The sound of a familiar voice can evoke feelings and memories. Hearing the voice of a loved one or having a conversation has even been shown to release cortisol, an essential hormone for regulating stress.
What about long-distance families who may not get to hear their loved one’s voice in person on a regular basis? Thanks to the power of technology, there are many ways remote families can use the power of their voice to stay connected.
Go beyond text.
While an email or text message is easy and efficient to send, the reality is that most of us are bombarded with these incoming messages on a daily basis. Also, if you are trying to connect with young children who may not be able to read long, complex messages easily, you are missing opportunities to bond.
Not to mention how we’ve all received an email or text that, without the tone that voice provides, has resulted in miscommunication or misunderstanding.
Luckily, there are a variety of ways that either just use voice or use voice and video together to stay connected.
- Depending on time zones and schedule limitations, regularly scheduled video chats can be helpful for long-distance families.
- Give voice-only communication a try with an app like Voxer, a walkie talkie like app that works with iPhone, android and the web and lets users record voice messages of varying lengths.
Leave regularly occurring voice messages.
Coordinating schedules for video calls can be tricky, so try sending a voice message instead. Long-distance family members can listen and reply when it’s convenient for their schedules.
A Yale University study found that “voice-only communication” elicits greater empathy than when other senses, like sight, were involved. So don’t worry if busy schedules keep you from regular video chats. Leaving a simple voicemail might be even more impactful!
Not sure what to say on a voice message? Here are few prompts to try:
- I was just thinking about the time we . . .
- Good morning! I hope you have a fun day! Here is what I plan to do today . . .
- Hi! I just wanted to let you know I am so proud of you for . . .
- I just wanted to say hi and let you know I’m thinking about you today. I love you!
Record yourself reading or telling a story.
Have a little one you’re trying to connect with across the miles? Try grandmother and therapist Christine Durfee’s method and capture short video or audio recordings of yourself reading children’s picture books. Christine, aka “Stories with Mema,” uses YouTube to share her story-reading with her grandchild.
For an even easier approach, use Make Momentos to narrate one of our children’s e-books or add your personal message to a recordable e-card. You can send encouragement, love and laughs in just a few minutes.
There are so many benefits to sharing personal and family stories with kids. Use the power of your voice by recording yourself, either in video or audio format, telling a cherished family story about times past and sending it to a loved one.
Whether it’s once a day or once a week, you’re making your bonds stronger each time you share the sound of your voice. Let us know in the comments how you’re tapping into the power of your voice to stay connected with long-distance family members.