To Make Cards to Send to Son (Who Lives with Other Parent Most of the Time)

(sorry late)

one thing my sister used to do, was just keep scissors nearby when she was reading magazines, and cut out funny or sentimental images, which she would then paste (gluestick is quick and tidy) to whatever card or letter she was writing

I have some hilarious cards from college

and cheap cards: just buy a pack of cardstock from like FredMeyer, cut a page in half, and fold each half--the cards should fit regular notecard envelopes (might have to go to an office store for those, can't remember if they carry them at Freddy's ... )

Daddy drawings are cherished by my kids (he left a couple of years ago) ...

One thing your son might like would be to pick out his own cards and then you can send them. He may pick out a Happy Grandparents' Day card for all we know, but he will pick out the ones that appeal to him the most. It really doesn't matter since he will pick out hte ones that he enjoys and relates to the most. Dollar Tree has cards 2 for a dollar or 1 for a dollar and some of them are quite cute. If he gets one he just can't let go of, you can get a duplicate so he can take one while you send the other to him later that week. That way he will recognize the cards and know who they are from. Just a thought.

Best of luck!

Paul, I always enjoy reading your posts. It's wonderful to see a non-custodial father so eager to be involved in his son's life.

One thing you might consider is creating an email account for him. Assuming his mom is willing to read your emails to him, this could be a wonderful way to communicate. The emails can be saved so he can enjoy them again when he's older. We did this for our son, and send him periodic emails documenting his achievements, milestones, and just plain cute things he did. We plan on printing them all out and making them into a book for his 18th birthday.

I always love reading your questions. You put in such an effort to be an active part of your son's life.
I agree with the other posters, it doesn't matter what the card looks like. He will be so excited to get his own mail. And, if you continue to do it once a week, I think it will become something he really looks forward to.
R.

I think that's a fabulous idea. I am not a card maker, but I do know that my son LOVES those cards that make noise when you open them up. There is one with a car on it and one with a superhero theme and he has kept them for months and looks at them often. I know they are pricey, so maybe you can throw one of those in the mix every now and then. Good luck and what a good idea for your little boy.

Honestly, your son will just be excited to get his own mail from you. It doesn't matter what you end up doing. I think stickers are great and pretty patterns will go over well too. It's just something special from you that arrives in the mail with HIS name on it. Great idea!

Hi Paul,

I bet your son would love a blank postcard with some fun stickers and a quick message. It would be fast and easy to make.

Great job staying in touch with your son. Distance is hard, but talking these steps will keep a strong relationship between yourself & your son.

R. Magby

At 2 your son doesn't notice or even care what form your card takes. You can put stickers and a few words on an index card. They come in colors too.

I have noticed that there are cards that play songs or allow you to record your own message available at my local Fred Meyers. I was surprised at the number and variety. You might find one of those appropriate to send every once in awhile.

If you have a computer there are web sites that make it easy for you to make your own cards. Disney's site has locations for kids to design and print their own pages as well as pages to print out and color. You could do that and send them to your son by snail mail.

If you want "real" blank cards they're available at craft stores and in craft departments of stores such as FMeyer. All of the pages are blank. You could glue on pictures cut from magazines or even draw your own. This would take perhaps 5 minutes. They don't have to look professional and in fact will be more meaningful if they don't.

Another idea is to subscribe to a magazine geared to his age and have it addressed to him. Tell him that you are the one sending him the magazine. Perhaps have him bring it with him when he visits and the two of you read it together. Be sure to tell the magazine that it's to be addressed to him.

I haven't looked for them but when my daughter was in grade school one of the companies had a line of cards just for parents to give to kids. You might find the source on the Internet. However, at 2, your son isn't going to be able to comprehend most of those messages. Personal messages about what you feel about him, his interests, remembering activities together, etc. will be more meaningful. The messages in a commercial card will be more appropriate when he's older.

I am pleased to see a father maintaining contact with his son. He's fortunate to have a father such as you.

For blank cards I would go to the paper zone in Portland on S.E Grand ave. They have lots to choose from.