Here's a catch up on some snippets and comments.

​I am often asked whether I have a publisher for my books. The answer is “yes” and there is a charming and coincidental back story.
First it started with my ordering from overseas the meagre number of existing books about distance grandparenting.
Second, as I became more familiar with the world of expat/migration research and their associated social media platforms, Summertime Publishing kept popping up and in time, I realized they supported many authors in this arena.
When I approached Jo Parfitt, the Managing Director, her response to my proposal blew me away.
‘Funnily enough my father (Peter Gosling), Anne Huscroft and I wrote a book on this topic called How to be a Global Grandparent for Zodiac several years ago.’
I couldn’t believe it. Sitting on my shelf was a copy of this 2009 publication with Jo’s name on the front. How had I not noticed that?
Furthermore, in my research archives were articles written by Peter.
Peter has since passed. ‘My dear father would be chuffed to know you saved his articles’.
Jo agreed the market needed updated books about distance familying and enthusiastically supported my book series project.
What a serendipitous outcome.

​When I asked my distance grandparent research participants, “How is distance grandparenting for you?”, one of my findings was that the answer is a package of factors. One of those factors was their ‘in-country family’. Did they have children and grandchildren nearby? What were their relationships? Did they contribute to a lessening of distance loss?
‘In-country family’ matter to Distance Grandparents as it is through them that the tank of ‘day to day, hands on grandparenting’ can be topped up in a concrete fashion.
We have one granddaughter in New Zealand. She is 18 years old and it has been a long time since we babysat, took her to the zoo, mini golf etc. Last week she asked if I would enjoy to accompany her to an open day at a university she is considering attending. My recent experience with academia might be helpful. What a lovely day of learning about a degree a world apart from my own. We included a visit to the art gallery, a potter about town and great chats in the car.
My ‘day to day, hands on grandparenting tank’ was nicely topped up and I appreciate her presence in my world.              

I have been meeting distance grandparents online from all corners of the globe. Our chats have been fantastic. Please join me for the last of these sessions on Sunday 5 July. (London 9am, Singapore 3pm, Auckland 8pm). Don't worry if you aren't super familiar with Zoom. To register and receive instructions please click below.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss.
There is no shortage of diverse topics out there to learn about Distance Families.
Here is a review of a recent release. 'This Messy Mobile Life' is an insightful read to gain an appreciation of mobile multicultural marriages and families.

If you prefer to receive updates via email this newsletter/blog is for you.
If you prefer Facebook you have two choices:
Distance Families Facebook - for anyone and everyone!
Being a distance grandparent private Facebook group - just for distance grandparents
Click below for links:

There are literally dozens of social media platforms for expat/migrant daughters and sons: the middle generation of distance familying. Every day they share their issues, celebrate their successes, all the while extending their ‘tribe’.
There are few similar groups for distance grandparents. I want to change that.
I have created a private Facebook group for Distance Grandparents (& parents). It's time for this generation to create their own ‘tribe’ and build a global community. This is not so much a 'how to do it' group, but a 'how it is' group.
Do you know distance grandparents or parents who might be interested? 

Thank you Sundae Schneider-Bean and your Expat Happy Hour podcast for the opportunity to share my message. I love your incredible enthusiasm for life and your big heart. 

​COVID-19 has led me to observe a new intergenerational behaviour: many adult children, some close and some from far away, are panicking about the welfare of their parents in a manner their parents have never experienced before. 

​Advice, even insistent ‘demands’ are relayed about 'stay home', 'don't go to the supermarket' and 'don’t mix'. 

​I am the first to admit that I live in a country that has so far, navigated COVID-19 reasonably successfully, and we are gingerly taking baby steps to find a new normal. I also acknowledge that other parts of the world are seriously alarming, and I totally understand that everyone needs to be exceedingly cautious. It is completely natural for family members to be anxious about one another.

​My concern, however, is that seniors, everywhere have acquired a new label they never asked for: ‘Handle with care’. 

​My question is: will they ever lose it? Will seniors be allowed to go back to making their own decisions, and not being dictated to? Will their children give them slack and allow them to be independent again?

​I was amused to read an article about a senior New Zealander who is currently ‘trapped’ in New Zealand, and for logistical reasons still unable to repatriate to his home in Vanuatu. He is safe, in good hands and accepting of his current lot. His most animated comment was:

​I am blessed that my mother lives 10 minutes’ drive away in a retirement village. Pre-COVID-19 we would chat by phone, maybe once a week and we often joked about families who rang each other every day. We both said we were too busy for that. However, with lockdown I video called Mum every day. She would relay the comings and goings of the village and she commented that many residents were ‘dealing with’ panicking children - for them, as much a challenge as COVID-19. One day Mum said to me "Thank you for not telling me what to do".

The word 'journey' is so overused. Thesaurus.com offers adventure, odyssey, wandering and campaign. They all have a place as I write my first ever blog, but somehow' journey' still surfaces to the top.

I would love to break this narrative mould but it has been a journey and I never would have imagined, even a few years ago that I would one day naively and boldly announce I am writing three books, when I have never published anything before.

Initially, I intended to write only about Distance Grandparenting, because that is what I intimately know. But there are two sides to every story and distance familying is an inter-generational global phenomenon. Each generation has their way of viewing life and experiencing their worlds, and I passionately believe these understandings need to be shared.  It can only do good. Thus the reason for a three-book series. The books will not be How to publications. They will talk about How it is.

And just to add an unexpected roadblock to this journey COVID-19 has made itself an unwelcome hitchhiker. It was neither part of your plans, nor mine and distance familying is hugely impacted. Right now, none of us knows when we will next be in the physical presence of our distance family. Now more than ever, distance families deserve a voice.

Please join me in this project and share your stories now. Story examples are available here.

​Lastly, "what's with the fruit photo?" you ask. A lasting and grateful memory of lockdown has been the autumnal bountiful giving of our Southern Hemisphere-friendly feijoa tree. Every day, without fail, a handful of its green,  oval-shaped fruit has fallen to the ground saying “pick me up”.  

Kind regards
Helen Ellis

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