News

December/January Newsletter

17/11/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

This is a combined December/January mini newsletter. We're on the road visiting family for 7+ weeks wrapped up in our warmest winter clothes and enjoying everything the Northern Hemisphere can offer at this time.

We're on a European river cruise. Afterwards we'll go to spend time with our granddaughter in Edinburgh, our son, grandson and granddaughter in Wiltshire, England and then across to Chicago for our second son, daughter-in-law and new grandson who has yet to make an appearance into this world.

Like to follow our travels? Check out the various social media platforms where I make an appearance.

Last Christmas was a big catch up for so many Distance Families after the trials and separations due to COVID. This Christmas feels more like 'business as normal' for those of us blessed to live in the more peaceful parts of the world.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas, safe and happy holiday season.

Helen Ellis

November Newsletter

30/10/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Living as an expat in New Zealand or Australia comes with similar and diverse experiences. Both countries offer stereotypical images of beaches, exotic scenery and a sense of paradise - and these exist for sure. However, navigating the day to day inevitably delivers a few surprises along the way.

After many years in the relocation/global mobility business Robyn and Bridget are well-qualified to offer ways to adjust and thrive as an expat in Australia or New Zealand.

This event is free and open to new and older expats & migrants along with all those interested in global mobility. It is also perfect for anyone considering moving to NZ or Australia.

If you can’t join us live the session will be recorded. It is necessary to register in advance to receive the recording link.
There will be an unrecorded Q & A session at the end of the webinar for those attending on the day.

BOOK SERIES NEWS

For the past few months I have been buried in the next book project, Being a Distance Grandchildren. I’ve done a good number of Zoom interviews with young adult and adult Distance Grandchildren from all around the world. Before I started this project I had absolutely no idea how it would eventuate, how interviewees would respond and importantly did they (and I!) actually have something significant to say that deserved a book to be written. I can report the research process has been such a privilege. Gems of reflections, legacies and stories have been shared that have touched my heart but also blown me away. I am very excited about this book. Here’s a sample:

It was an intense time of loving. You had to pack a whole five years of love into a visit of a few weeks.

My grandpa got Alzheimer’s the year before he died. He went downhill rapidly. But a couple of days before he passed, he had a moment of clarity. He held my hand and actually said, ‘You’re my best friend’.

I really feel he [late grandfather] is sitting on my shoulder and he is the one showing me the way, helping me with my decisions. This is a connection I cannot explain.

Being a Distance Grandchild - a Book for ALL Generations will be published later in 2024. Click below to go into a draw to win a free copy.

ON THE HOME FRONT

Distance Families find comfort in the familiar background settings of video calls especially if they've previously visited. You’ve sat on that sofa, you’ve eaten at the table, and dined outside on the deck.

During the last couple of months, and quite coincidentally, our three distance adult children and families have all moved house (see photos). There are new backgrounds, new furniture and new decor. When I next visit there’s also new neighbourhoods to explore and become familiar with.

Accepting change and embracing the unfamiliar are superpowers of doing Distance Families – and it works in both directions.

And of course, hubby and I are moving next year also. If you missed that memo last month here a link to our house for sale. Please spread the word to returning expats and migrants heading to Auckland, NZ.

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

October Newsletter

2/10/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

It was a pleasure to be back on the podcast airwaves again with Emily and Mike Morgan from ‘The Grand Life’. Here’s more about their work.
“Grandparenting with our whole hearts takes time and intention. ‘The Grand Life’ podcast entertains, educates, and enlightens grandparents who want to become the best they can be. Author Emily Morgan and her husband Mike host an exploration of grandparenting, the relationships within the role, and the ways in which our grandparenting impacts our children... and their children”. I love the way they support grandparents

Mike, the technical guru half of this dynamo grandparent couple, edits in short musical interludes giving listeners moments to reflect. Their podcasts are such an easy listen. Click here for a 24 minute listen.
If you enjoy podcasts there's a bunch of other recordings here - scroll down a little on DistanceFamilies.com

BOOK SERIES NEWS

Anytime I am heading to a different part of Auckland I put a copy of 'Being a Distance Grandparent' in my car. I try and include a stop at a retirement village and donate a copy for the residents' library. The latest stops have been #selwynvillage in Point Chevalier and #LadyAllumVillage in Milford. I love the surprised reactions from the receptionists!

My books are also perfect for public libraries. Recently an American distance grandmother, who is a member of my private ‘Being a Distance Grandparent’ Facebook group reported…

I requested your book from my public library but they did not have it in their collection. Much to my surprise, however, they bought it on Amazon and it was sent directly to me. All I have to do is return it now that I’ve finished reading it and the library will add it to its collection.

News like that makes my day as it’s hard to reach public library decision makers. If you have a public library you regularly visit I would love it if you could bring my books to their attention. Click here for a one page document you may hand them with all the info. If you’ve read one or both of my books your recommendation will be valuable to them.

ON THE HOME FRONT

In last month’s newsletter I mentioned we were off again to Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. Our last visit was plagued by horrendous weather so we had great hopes for this return sojourn. It wasn’t to be. More rain, flooded roads and gusty winds. We did walk on the beach a couple of times while carefully avoiding possible falling coconuts - but that was it. Our swimming gear and snorkels stayed in our suitcase and the whale watching boat trip was postponed a couple of times and never eventuated. It was still warmer than home which is always nice in winter. And yes, we saw more chickens at the airport. Here’s some pics.

On a different front hubby and I have decided to downsize a little and we’ve signed up for a new-build apartment, 20 minute’s walk from where we currently live. It has lovely water views which was the attraction.
The reason I am sharing all this is that our current 4 brm/2 bathroom, 10 year old house would be perfect for a returning expat or new migrant family. It will be going on the market next year. We have a bunch of appliances and furniture we can’t take with us. These items would be super handy for a newly arrived family. It is very expensive to ship furniture around the world and our bits n pieces would avoid any necessity to ‘camp out’ before the basics were acquired. So if you know any returning NZ expats or potential migrants heading to Auckland next year here’s a link to a Facebook page I've created about the house.
Our new apartment is supposed to be ready August 2024. More of that another time.

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

September Newsletter

1/9/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

The Biggest Culture Gaps are Within Countries, Not Between Them

,Curiosity about all-things global mobility is a beneficial attribute for members of Distance Families. When your understanding is continuously growing as to ‘how it is’ for the other generations of your family it’s easier to find empathy for their situation rather than solely focus on your own.

I love sharing articles that increase understanding of intergenerational global families. Here's a selection.

Resources for those arriving in a new location

The cost to organisations of failed global assignments

Overcoming expat guilt

BOOK SERIES NEWS

Did you know there is an audio version of Being a Distance Grandparent narrated by me?
What’s more it’s a (distance) family affair. My Chicago based broadcaster son, Robbie narrated the Foreword written by Professor Loretta Baldassar. Loretta is a global expert scholar on the subject of families caring from a distance and I was honoured to have her support the book project.

I just finished your audiobook today and feel like I know you and your family even though I've never actually met you. Thank you for sharing your struggles and challenges so openly. It's truly a great inspiration for me.
Anieke Lamers, Distance Aunt & Founder of Peekabond

Here's a link to a recorded introduction from me.

The audio book is available on all the normal platforms and is a perfect addition to public library audio collections - if you have any influence!

ON THE HOME FRONT

,1st of September is the first day of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The end of our garden along the fence line loses the sun all winter but come the start of Spring sunshine filters through warming the soil and alerting the hydrangeas to wake up and get ready to display a spectacular Summer show.

On the subject of growing our U.S. daughter-in-law is proudly showing the world a lovely baby bump. We look forward to cradling our new grandson next January.

A recent office acquisition is a stand up desk. Years of sitting at a desk for university study and writing books has *** my body a bit. I am expecting great things from this new installation!

Finally, we’re off shortly for a week’s sun in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. It a 3+ hour flight away across the Pacific Ocean. We cross the Dateline and arrive the day before! Last time we went in January 2022 we flew in on Day 2 after the island reopened after the pandemic. It was also the same day of the Tongan volcano explosion. The Guardian quoted that the volcano released 1000 times more energy than the Hiroshima bomb. It was a tad disconcerting as our accommodation was on the beach. Anyway, we survived that. Then a couple of days later a cyclone arrived. We had to stay indoors for 24-48 hours to avoid flying coconuts and flooded roads. Crossing our fingers this time for calm, warm weather and a few days of blissful RnR. Maybe we'll see chickens at the airport again!

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

August Newsletter

1/8/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

We will remember July 2023 as the hottest month the world has ever recorded. How do rising temperatures affect Distance Families?
When moving permanently to a new location our bodies tend to adjust overtime to the local temperatures. But when you’re temporarily thrown into extreme weather on a vacation, for example visiting family, it can be overwhelming.
Coming from a temperate climate, I don’t cope well in intense heat. A few years ago I spent a couple of months in the southern states of the U.S. in a June and July. I saw locals in jeans while I was expiring in my coolest sun dress. I vowed and declared I would never visit family again during those months.
At the other extreme, we also said we’d never visit Chicago in winter where our son lives because we’re inexperienced coping with icy, snowy conditions.

Reducing the risk of an accident and ending up in a hospital is a top priority. However, an impending grandson arrival in December is changing those plans. What a nice problem... we’ll need to be super careful.
So what are distance families left with? Perhaps just April & May and September to November depending on where you’re travelling to. Extreme weather definitely affects Distance Families connections.

BOOK SERIES NEWS

July saw the 1st birthday of Being a Distance Son or Daughter. Where did those 12 months go? I am so pleased to have this book available to global families. No one is addressing this aspect of being an expat or immigrant and I’m pleased to provide a launching pad for conversations. Reviews are here and the book is available as a paperback or e-book here. If you'd like your local library to stock a copy please pass them a copy of this information sheet. It might do the trick.

Authors are told they need to have a social media presence. I work pretty hard in that department. But lately I have realised there isn’t enough separation between my personal social media and author/global mobility social media. So I have created a second Facebook profile to solve this. If you’d like to follow me and/or Distance Families you are spoilt for choice. Be sure to check out the full social media ‘range’ here with the latest new addition noted.

ON THE HOME FRONT

You may know one of my interests is singing in a local community choir. It’s a non-audition choir so it's not at the high brow end. The pandemic put a stop to most choir activity and once we re-grouped it took a bit of time to get back in the groove. Finally after a 4 year hiatus we’ve recently performed twice. Below is a photo of us enjoying a stand ovation. I have never had one of those before! I am far right at the front by the pillar. Here's a link to that performanceat this beautiful city church. And a few weeks later we participated in an Auckland-wide cultural choral event in a stunning cathedral. Enjoy.

New Zealand and Australia are currently jointly hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It is a big deal. Last night I attended the USA v Portugal match at the normally rugby-famous Eden Park. What a night! The largest NZ crowd ever for a women's sporting event - 42,958 of us. We'd been allocated seats three rows back from the field. The medics were right in front of us and we were surrounded by costume wearing, flag and banner carrying American and Portuguese fans. I am sure I ended up in the background on a telecast somewhere in the world as passionate fans were interviewed and filmed nearby. And be assured, listening to their accents there were many kiwis amongst them supporting the visitors. Up behind us was a huge crowd of flag waving, Portuguese fans including a drummer who played the entire time.
To my American friends commiserations - you didn't expect a 0-0 draw. But be sure, the huge American supporter crowd did you proud. To my Portuguese friends - well done. Your reserves were warming up just a few metres from us - so nimble and fast and their team spirit was obvious. You can be very proud of their performance.

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

July Newsletter

3/7/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Are you an expat or immigrant in New Zealand or Australia or considering moving to one or the other country? Here are two excellent blogs I’d recommend your following. They are both packed with super useful information.
Australia New Zealand

Separately, if you’re parenting in International School circles this blog is a goodie.

Talking of International Schools, this month I will be facilitating a webinar that is open to all.
Bianca will be sharing some interesting discoveries from her PhD work on accent and TCKs (Third Culture Kids). She will talk about what’s different about accent development in English-speaking expatriate communities, using Hong Kong and Singapore as examples. She will then talk about the role of identity and belonging in accent change after children move to a permanent home, using New Zealand as an example. She is looking forward to discussing these findings after her talk.
Bianca is originally from New Zealand and grew up as a TCKin Hong Kong. She has worked as a Speech-Language Therapist since 2000 and recently completed her PhD entitled "Dialect Change and 'Returning' Third Culture Kids". She now lectures Speech-Language Therapy at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand, where she lives with her 4-year old son, Elliot.

The session will be recorded. Register in advance here to join us live or later receive a link to the recording.

BOOK SERIES NEWS

In publishing circles cover design is a hot topic. Every detail is analysed to the nth degree. I decided the upcoming grandchild book’s cover needed some slight tweaking. After consulting the experts and several back and forth changes, here’s the updated cover with its additional subtitle.

Right now I am busy interviewing past and present Distance Grandchildren from across the globe. Like to know what they've been saying? Scroll down here for some insightful feedback.

To be published in 2024

Bi-lingual and multilingual wordsmiths - I need your help please. I want to expand my list of non-English words that are strongly connected to families and relationships - words that don't have an exact English translation. e.g. the Danish hygge (sense of content cosiness) or Welsh hierith (deep, yearning homesickness).
Are you able to add to my list? I plan to feature these words in Being a Distance Grandchild. Please send me a message if you can help. Thanks HE

ON THE HOME FRONT

The most exciting news I am finally able to share is that hubby and I have another grandchild on the way.
Those of you who have been following Distance Families for at least a couple of years will recall the pandemic virtual wedding of our Chicago son and daughter-in-law in 2021. They are expecting a son, due between Christmas and New Year.
We will be in the U.K. visiting other family then. After ensuring we wouldn't be imposing we have changed our January homebound flights. Instead of returning via the East we'll travel around the other side of the world, via the States for a brief cuddle.
This is a lovely addition to our family and our 6th grandchild to be born overseas.

Lastly, we travelled to Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand during June and experienced some stunning scenery. Here are the promised photos.

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

June Newsletter

6/6/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

In circles of ‘on the move’, rotational, every-two-or-three-years expats, June is frequently the month, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, when many are packing up, saying goodbyes and heading to their next assignment destination, in time for the next school year commencing August/September.

These families are often from the corporate, diplomatic, military or missionary worlds. In most cases the moves are a choice; sometimes they’re not.

Initially, it’s a novelty for all generations, including those at 'home'. But in no time, continuous moves become the norm and there’s a certain ‘here we go again’ that comes into play for everyone. With each move, Distance Sons and Daughters and their children get better at saying their goodbyes, transitioning, making new friends and adjusting to the new culture. But there is also grief, trepidation, uncertainty and upheaval. It can be tough on the parents and tough on the children.

BOOK SERIES NEWS

I had two delightful discoveries in May...

Second, on Mother’s Day, hubby and I went to the city for a dose of culture. While there, we popped into the central city branch of Auckland Libraries. I had been aware a copy of my books are available in its ‘Central

First I discovered a New Zealand, dedicated ebook retailer - new for our country. Normally we have to order from afar. If you're keen to 'Buy NZ' you now have choices.
Click here for meBooks.

City Special Collections’ – but what is the CCSP I’d often asked myself. Time to find out.
When a helpful librarian enquired if he could assist, I asked for directions to the special collection. He asked why I wanted to know. I explained I was an author and my books featured there. Well, he was so impressed. The CCSC is an appointment-only Reading Room and Research Centre open Monday to Saturday he explained. “Your books feature in the collection because of their cultural significance – congratulations to you”.
Thank you Auckland Libraries - you made my day! (Photo: Auckland Council Libraries website)

ON THE HOME FRONT

During May we put our U.K. grandson back on a plane home to enjoy the Northern Hemisphere summer and the last year of his law degree. He’s been in New Zealand for eight months and spent a fair slice of that time living with us. We’ve been grateful to connect with him in this way. We all know each other much better – “warts ‘n all” as they say. When we visit the U.K. this winter, reconnections will be seamless - such a luxury as distance grandparents.

Our weather woes continue in New Zealand cemented by this headline in the local rag. We've had a whole year's rain in six months. Despite these issues it doesn’t get super cold in Auckland. We're booked to visit

Europe and stay with family in the UK for several weeks over November to January. Due to our generally mild temperatures we don’t own the gear we need for this geographical adventure - so we’ve been shopping! We can't leave that task to later in the year as stores will be filled with summer gear then. To test our new threads and for a change of scene hubby and I have decided to visit Christchurch (further south and colder) for a few days later in June. I hope to share some stunning winter snaps in the next newsletter especially from when we venture across the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

May Newsletter

1/5/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Well-received articles this month include a super useful guide to tipping in the U.S. I was chuffed to achieve close to 100% when I did the online quiz – confirmation I have mainly been doing things right on our U.S. visits - phew. Additionally, here is a wonderful global restaurant tipping guide courtesy of global thinker and author @DavidLivermore.

Another great article is titled, Ways to Share Your Family History with Your Grandkid. The author, Elaine McAllister noted, "It’s a sobering thought, but family stories are generally lost within three generations unless they are preserved in writing or by some other means."

Are you an Instagram fan? Check out #Mayonthemove. It is a month-long, collaborative discussion by anyone and everyone about all things global living. Scan the QR code for more info or follow @thefrustratednester.

BOOK SERIES NEWS

Two years ago I proudly published the first book in the Distance Families Book Series. The subtitle of each book is ‘A Book for ALL Generations’. Empathy between generations, especially those separated by geography, is a powerful lubricant to a well-functioning, extended family. Click here for links to reviews and free chapters (audio & printed) of 'Being a Distance Grandparent.

Read the book already? Reviews are so appreciate by would-be readers. I would love and appreciate your review. Here’s a link to the various review platforms - thanks HE.

‘Being a Distance Grandchild’ is well and truly under construction. I have many Zoom interviews planned with Distance Grandchildren around the world. Like to know how things are going with this project? Regularly check here.

ON THE HOME FRONT

National public holidays and commemorative events bring generations together even when separated by geography. Downunder, in New Zealand and Australia, this always happens on the 25th of April (ANZAC Day) when soldiers from both countries are remembered.
Let me introduce my 6-year-old Distance Grandchild. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia and speaks with a Southern drawl. He plays baseball and is American through and through. However, he is also half Kiwi and his Mum works hard to ensure he understands his New Zealand heritage and its culture. Here’s his commendable artistic NZ flag drawing effort at the recent Australia/New Zealand combined ANZAC Day event in Atlanta, Georgia. The Union Jack is a little oversized but the stars are coloured red… he knows the difference. At the event they played cricket and touch rugby, ate lamingtons & Anzac biscuits and on the way home the other lad said “I miss New Zealand”.

Back in NZ our U.K.-gap-year-visiting grandson returned north to us after working in our tourist capital, Queenstown. We had a mini break together near the beach last week and the countdown begins for his return to the U.K. later in the month. It will feel strange knowing he's back on the other side of the world again.

Take care until next time

Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

April Newsletter

4/4/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Greetings. Here are a couple of articles that really impressed me this month.

Photo credit: "Starbucks (closed until evening due to Ramadan)" by Studio Sarah Lou is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

For about 2 billion Muslims around the world – almost a quarter of humanity – it's Ramadan, the holiest period in the Islamic calendar. This year, the first day of Ramadan's sunrise-to-sunset fasting began at sunrise on Thursday, March 23, and lasts until the evening of Thursday, April 20 [..] if you're not Muslim, you might still not know exactly what to say (and not say) to Muslim friends [,family], co-workers and colleagues during the month, whether they're fasting or not."
Eda Uzunlar

Eda's NPR article, titled Not even water? And other things not to say to your Muslim friends during Ramadan is an excellent read.

Another impactful article is written by Ashally De La Cruz on the subject of retaining and losing languages I was moved by the line, "[...] sometimes, I need to use Google Translate just to have a conversation with my mom." As Ashally says, “Learning a new language is hard. So is keeping an old one.”

BOOK SERIES NEWS

Copyright Licensing New Zealand’s Partnership Fund aims to partner with sector groups and individuals that are connecting to, or working with, diverse voices and communities on projects which align with their CLNZ Cultural Fund objectives.
I am delighted to announce that my forthcoming book, Being a Distance Grandchild, has been awarded a grant.
Thank you CLNZ for supporting the voices of New Zealand and global Distance Families.

ON THE HOME FRONT

March has been the month of the Three F’s

Feijoas
Fixing the house
Friends of our children

The feijoa fruit tree is native to Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. According to Google they were brought to New Zealand in the 1920s where new varieties were developed. We have one very generous tree that’s exceedingly kind to us in March.
Feijoas are one of the most vitamin C-rich foods you can eat. This is helpful with winter around the corner. You cut them in half and scoop out the flesh. Their taste is unique. In New Zealand people either loathe them or love them. We’re the latter – especially because they’re fresh and free. Each day hubby and I strengthen a few muscles crawling under the low hanging tree collecting yet another bowl full.

Last year I froze some flesh for our visiting children to enjoy at Christmas. I even admit to once taking some frozen/thawing pulp on a plane when visiting a child overseas… a taste of home. Mad I know!

This month our house has been wrapped in scaffolding. Lots of clanging and banging. Painters have spruced up the outside and we’ve taken the opportunity to fix a few other bits n pieces while the scaffolding was still in place.

A bonus extra of being a Distance Parent/Grandparent is the visiting friends our overseas children ask us to temporarily befriend, in some way or other. Years ago they were backpackers on a budget with vague and mysterious plans. These days our kids are older and their friends stay in hotels and have itineraries.
In March we got to know an American colleague of our U.S. based daughter, and his lovely wife. We took them out for the day, gave them a bunch of travel planning advice which they said was invaluable and shared a meal together on their final night. When we gave them a very kiwi (chocolate) parting gift they immediately recognised the towns noted on the packaging where ingredients are sourced and chocolates named after. Our lives are richer for these encounters and next time our daughter and her colleague meet up they’ll have lots to talk about.

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE

March Newsletter

3/3/2023

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Early in the month I was the guest speaker for a webinar hosted by The World Bank Group Family Network. The bank’s employees are truly global as they're despatched to all corners of the globe. 500 staff and/or partners registered for the event! That’s pretty daunting when the kick-off time in New Zealand is 7am.
I salute the #worldbankgroup and all other family-friendly, global employers who recognise that their staff, spouses and children are more than just employees, partners and off-spring. Every minute of every day they are also Distance Daughters, Distance Sons, Distance Grandchildren and more. These roles never leave their being, no matter where they live and hugely affect the success and personal happiness of their global career assignments.

Last month I shared that I had won the ‘Super Gran’ award over the holidays.

Well this month I've acquired another title, a Granfluencer... bestowed upon me by the awesome team at #Peekabond. You may read more here.

Be sure to check out their terrific intergenerational communication app. Click on the logo below.

BOOK SERIES NEWS

Last month I wrote about kicking off my research and writing the third book in the Distance Families Book Series, 'Being a Distance Grandchild - a Book for ALL Generations'. Here is a picture of just some of my research after a big sort out on the kitchen counter. And there is lots more where it came from. It's all about families (distance and close), grandchildren, grandparenting... sadly not one single article is about 'how it is' being a distance grandchild. I have noted in the book's draft...
"When I did my masters and wrote Being a Distance Grandparent I found a sprinkling of academic commentary discussing the nature of distance grandparent’s relationships with their geographically separated grandchildren. In reverse, no formal scholarship exists from the grandchild’s perspective. To the best of my knowledge this book is breaking new ground."

ON THE HOME FRONT

February has been a month to remember. New Zealand was hammered with further unimaginable weather bombs. Many parts of the North Island, some as close as 40 minutes away from me are devastated beyond all imagination and may never be occupied again, due to slips and destroyed roads.
We remain ever grateful our house has survived. Our only incident was trying to stake our seriously leaning, curb side tree with a length of old hose in 100+ km winds. It will be a case of ‘wait and see’ if the tree survives over the next few months.

As our U.S. distance family has settled back into their routines after visiting NZ it was lovely to catch up on Facetime the other day to see our grandsons playing a newly purchased game of Ludo. We found the boardgame in a cupboard at a holiday house we stayed at during New Year. The boys had never played it before so there was a learning curve and some upset when one or other couldn’t roll a 6 to start. It was terrific to see they had moved on from their early Ludo emotional encounters and now play with resilience and acceptance. Our distance family in-person connections are fleeting but you never know what they are learning and taking home with them.

Take care until next time
Helen Ellis

P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE