DEAR AMY: My mother is planning to move to a state far from the one in which we have lived since I was a preteen. She is moving with my brother "Barney." He is 12, and I am 21. I want to go with them so my brother and I don't grow apart as my other brother and I did. (I have another half-brother who is my age. My father also has a son and daughter with another woman who are both younger than 10, whom I have only met once). I've lived with Barney since he was born, minus a few times I've lived in different areas of the state, so we've grown up together and are close. It breaks my heart knowing he is going to be so far away. I know I can't go with them because I have an apartment and am finally starting my college education. Do you have any creative ideas that we can use to stay in touch and not grow apart? I still want to be his "big sis," not the distant sister who lives in another state. He has other big sisters from his dad's previous marriage who are at least a decade older than I, but he doesn't really know them. 
 --Big Sis 
 DEAR SIS: Your thoughtful concern about your brother's welfare touches me. I wish there were an alternative to your mother's choice to move your brother to a new place. He is at a tender age, and this sort of transition can be tough on an adolescent boy. 
 You will have to offer him ongoing assurances that your relationship will always be a refuge for him. Maintain a positive attitude about this change, but listen and commiserate when he feels alone. 
 Maintain a presence with him on <a href="/topics//Facebook">Facebook</a>, where you can post photos back and forth and comment on each other's doings. See if he is willing to <a href="/topics//Skype">Skype</a> with you regularly. Ask him to describe his new room, his school and friends. Send him things through the mail; there is nothing like a care package to keep a connection strong and to remind your brother that he is loved and appreciated.

DEAR AMY: My mother is planning to move to a state far from the one in which we have lived since I was a preteen. She is moving with my brother "Barney." He is 12, and I am 21. I want to go with them so my brother and I don't grow apart as my other brother and I did. (I have another half-brother who is my age. My father also has a son and daughter with another woman who are both younger than 10, whom I have only met once). I've lived with Barney since he was born, minus a few times I've lived in different areas of the state, so we've grown up together and are close. It breaks my heart knowing he is going to be so far away. I know I can't go with them because I have an apartment and am finally starting my college education. Do you have any creative ideas that we can use to stay in touch and not grow apart? I still want to be his "big sis," not the distant sister who lives in another state. He has other big sisters from his dad's previous marriage who are at least a decade older than I, but he doesn't really know them. --Big Sis DEAR SIS: Your thoughtful concern about your brother's welfare touches me. I wish there were an alternative to your mother's choice to move your brother to a new place. He is at a tender age, and this sort of transition can be tough on an adolescent boy. You will have to offer him ongoing assurances that your relationship will always be a refuge for him. Maintain a positive attitude about this change, but listen and commiserate when he feels alone. Maintain a presence with him on Facebook, where you can post photos back and forth and comment on each other's doings. See if he is willing to Skype with you regularly. Ask him to describe his new room, his school and friends. Send him things through the mail; there is nothing like a care package to keep a connection strong and to remind your brother that he is loved and appreciated.

News

LSAMY01

Staying present in young brother's life

Newsday

Homepage Trending

Latest LI weather forecast

Trump accounts: What LI parents need to know

Summer Fun Book

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

A draft rule introduced this month by House and Senate Republicans would significantly limit compensation for service-connected tinnitus and sleep apnea for veterans. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

LI vets concerned about bill that would reduce benefits

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits Palmer Vineyards, where they host 'summer late nights,' which have become very popular.

Out East: Take a sip at this winery that's ready for summer

After the British took control of Long Island, George Washington created a special unit for intelligence gathering, the Culper Spy Ring. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

America 250: The Culper Spy Ring on LI

Newsday food writer Erica Marcus explores the new farmers market at Station Yards in Ronkonkoma.

Farmers market opens at Station Yards

Brianna's Law, named after an 11-year-old girl who died in a 2005 accident, requires all operators of motorized vessels to take a boating safety course. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

After her daughter's boating death, mom went from grief to 'unstoppable' safety advocate

The number of IOUs issued by LIRR conductors for fare evasion fell by more than half from 2024 to 2025. Newsday transportation reporter Alfonso Castillo explains.

LIRR IOUs for fare evasion are down

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits L'Etoile in Oyster Bay. The French restaurant is in the building that used to be Snouder's Drug Store.

Historic LI building home to new French restaurant

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Signorama in Huntington Station.

LI Works: Ken lights up the room as he makes signs

Two sharks were spotted off Long Island shores Thursday, at Lido Beach and Long Beach. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Sharks spotted off shores of two LI beaches 

Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman takes the High Line to Chelsea Market and Pier 57.

Exploring NYC's High Line

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Newsday investigation: Sex buyers go free ... Saving oysters in Great South Bay ... America 250: Nathan Hale ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Newsday investigation: Sex buyers go free ... Saving oysters in Great South Bay ... America 250: Nathan Hale

News - megaslot

Newsday has the most up-to-date stories on Long Island & NTC. Join us & stay current with news articles on sports, business, health, technology & more.

Stay logged in.