Staying in touch with family when they are spread throughout the world can be a daunting task. It is often overwhelming for people with multiple siblings in different cities to keep track of special dates, births, parties and even the daily life of those loved ones.

With the addition of social networking sites, email and cell phones that stretch across the miles provide options we've never had before. Webcams give grandparents a chance to see their newborn grandchildren and cousins can connect via sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Pictures are easily sent through the internet superhighway so you don't have to miss everything going on while your loved ones celebrate anniversaries and birthdays.
Although not every one of these ideas will work for you and your family, we have compiled some easy to use tools to make staying in touch a little more convenient:

• Keep traditions alive. Traditions are a great way to keep your family history alive and teach your children about the importance of family. Make an effort to be involved in as many family traditions as possible even if everyone can't be there.
• Create a family web page or blog. Use a blog site or social networking tool like Facebook to keep your family informed of what you're up to. Exchange monthly newsletters by email and share pictures and updated information on your family. Blogs are like an online journal and they are a wonderful way to help your family keep up to date about your family and what is happening with your life.
• Make a list. Keep a list of birthdays, special dates and family member's addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. This will help you stay on top of the days most important to those you're missing. Make sure you send them a card or an email on their birthday, this let's them know you are thinking about them.
• Keep pictures out. Frame some of your favorite family pictures from present and past. Talk to your children about the ones they may not have met and tell some of your favorite stories that go with the pictures.
• Learn to forgive and forget. Many families are plagued by ongoing issues that tear them apart for years on end. Face your problems and talk to your family before they get out of control. The pain it will cause you to lose an argument is far less than the pain of having unfinished business with a family member that keeps you apart from each other.

All relationships take time and families are no different. Just as young children must go through a growing process when they begin friendships, so must adults learn to be flexible to the changing lives of siblings, parents and extended family. Our daily lives interfere with the time needed to cultivate the trust and values of a strong personal connection to someone we don't live with. Because of this, many of us leave our family relationships at the "acquaintance" status and lose out on what could be a wealth of love and commitment in our family tree. Take time out of your day to find and reconnect with those you love most.