Our in-laws are spending next year in England and, in addition to regretting all the developmental milestones they'll miss, are worried that their young grandson will forget them. Lots of families are spread around the globe, but still finding ways to stay connected. Julia had a great idea to combine a world map with family photos to help her nearly two-year old son Eric, with family around the States, in France, Singapore, Malaysia and Brazil, understand his family connections.
Here's Julia: It matters very much to us that Eric is able to understand that idea [of family spread around the globe] and also stay connected visually to his extended family members. So instead of just hanging the photos up in photo frames, I used the map. Of course, it is also educational too in terms of geography.
The map she hung is a quilt panel purchased on eBay (you can find it by searching "world map quilt" or "world map fabric"). To be able to easily attach photos, she stapled the map onto mat board. We think this is a clever way to strengthen a sense of family for kids and her method is very flexible for family members on the move (hopefully closer!). Thanks Julia!
Is your family far-flung? How do you explain this to your kids?
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
This is a great idea. I have family all over the world...I'm bookmarking this for our kids.
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
view EmmieB's profile
i love wall maps for kids http://www.houzz.com/photos/19559/West-Village-Loft-modern-kids-new-york
view designmad101's profile
This isn't a design thing, but my dad lives in Europe and we just discovered Skype. It's a free video over the computer service. We schedule chats so my daughter can see and communicate with Grandpa. He was able to see her wobbly beginning steps and sing 8,000 verses of Wheel on the Bus with her.
view 1mar1's profile
I second the comment by 1mar1...my first babe was born in shanghai and my second in Tokyo and we have family in the US and UK, so Skype is great. We do my parents for breakfast time and dh's parents at "tea time". We have also always had a map in DS1's room and we say "good night" to the people (and animals!) on the map (ie, the kangaroos in Australia, monkeys in Madagascar, tigers in India). He really loves it. When we move back home we'll definitely keep it or even get a bigger one (I think I've seen an entire wall covering of a world map somewhere).
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