Well I don't know about your kid but I can tell you what didn't work with my dad. Periodic visits aren't going to mean much. Neither are gifts. At least, they didn't to me. Talk to him face to face. Get to know him. Listen to him. Teach him stuff. Don't take what time you have with him for granted.

And don't play favorites. It's not cool. Like really, really not cool.

[Why yes, Chris also has daddy issues, thanks for noticing.]