Our whole family got hooked on this ...

Just over a year ago, we took a massive leap of faith and moved our entire family two thousand kilometres away from their friends, family and loved ones.  One of these family members had barely turned 12 and was about to start high school not knowing a soul. She was in a word – devastated. “How will I make new friends? "How will I still talk to my old friends?” I believe the words “I hate” and “you” were bandied about A LOT during this time.

And I worried for her. I wasn’t dismissive of her having to make new connections but unfortunately, it was just part of life. We had to move and the loss of constant communication with her friends was collateral damage. Or was it? Besides promising her a puppy (that still hasn’t happened) we said she could get a mobile phone when she started high school.

It’s amazing just how quickly a teenager can blow through $30 in credit texting their friends about absolutely-freaking-nothing, so we had to look for newer er, cheaper alternatives. And we found one in Skype.

My daughter settled really well into her new life in Melbourne, in fact, now she tells me she ever wants to return to her hometown. This comes down to two things, 1) she’s made some great friends through school and 2) she has kept in touch with her old friends through the wonderful world of Skype.

And the whole family got hooked on Skype too. Nothing beats being able to see my best friend’s daughter take her first step – in real time. Or see her say your name.  Or see your daughter connect with her friends via a video link – all through the wonderful world of technology.  I’ve had days where I could very well tuck my tail between my legs and go on home. These days have been saved by me being able to talk to my brother on Skype and see his face and just say "hi". It is amazing to me that we can be so far away yet incredibly close at the same time.

I love the fact that using the Skype Prepaid Card we can text each other, video chat and call each other at such a low rate that we are never far apart. Even when we take off on an overseas holiday later this year we can take the prepaid Skype card with us.

Even with a locked phone I can use the Skye Prepaid Card to call and contact my loved ones when I’m overseas, something I’ve struggled with in the past.

I can honestly say these kinds of communication have been a lifesaver for not only myself but also my teenager – the world isn’t so big when you’ve got access to Skype.