April Newsletter

​Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

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DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Families in Global Transition (FIGT) Forum
On the 18 and 19th of April, starting each day at 11 am Amsterdam time, is the FIGT Forum 2026 or online conference. I have been an active member of FIGT for several years and am currently the co-Chair of the Australia/New Zealand Affiliate.
I have the privilege of speaking this year (11.15 am Sun 19th, Amsterdam Time). The forum’s theme is Talking Across Divides, Communicating Through Differences. The title of my talk is “How Is It to Be a Distance Grandchild? Centering Children’s Voices in Intergenerational Families Across Borders”. Grandchildren have to learn to talk and communicate across physical and cultural familial divides and differences. I will discuss findings and more from Being 

​​a Distance Grandchild. Anyone interested in global mobility will find FIGT's work of interest. Here’s a link to the presenter biographies.  I encourage you to check out the forum programme and join us from anywhere in the world.

Mother’s Day is next month for many
The date of UK Mother’s Day is different every year. According to Google the UK's Mother’s Day, or Mothering Sunday as they call it, is based on early Christian traditions and falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, three weeks before Easter. In contrast, the secular Mother’s Day as observed in the US and many other countries, including my own New Zealand, is always observed on the second Sunday in May. I remember when my daughter was born early May I was still in hospital on Mother’s Day – what a busy visitor session. In Being a Distance Grandchild I offer a handful of practical suggestions to grandchildren that can springboard them to the ‘top of the pops’ with their distance grandmother. Here’s what I had to say about Mother’s Day and being a distance grandchild.

​Don’t forget Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! A key thing to remember when you live in different countries: these holidays aren’t always celebrated on the same dates. That means you’ll need to plan ahead. Buy a card when it’s available in your country – even if the distance celebration isn’t for a while. When the time comes, send it in plenty of time for the date in your grandparent’s country. For example, Mother’s Day is in March in the U.K. but in New Zealand and Australia it’s in May. It’s easy enough to buy a card in March and save it to post in April for May. The reverse? That’s elite-level planning: buying a card in May, keeping track of it for months, and posting it next February. If you manage that, trust me – Nana or Grandma will be seriously impressed.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​It was both exciting and nerve-wracking in March to be a guest on several radio interviews, webinars, and podcasts following the release of Being a Distance Grandchild. A few are still being edited and will be shared on the website in the coming weeks.
You might expect them to be much the same, but each has been surprisingly different. Audiences, hosts, and perspectives vary widely—one podcast, for example, was aimed primarily at grandfathers. While some questions overlapped, most took the conversation in new directions. One fun moment came when a broadcaster asked, “What next?” and suggested Being a Distance Pet. Maybe… maybe not. For now, it feels good to simply say: the job is done.

March also brought a long-overdue celebration. When my first two books were released during COVID, gatherings weren’t really possible. This time, it felt right to mark the occasion. Supporters, family, interviewees, colleagues, and friends came together at a neighbourhood venue on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. There were a few speeches, some readings, and a glass or two raised. It was a special day—warm, relaxed, and shared with wonderful people.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

With the last book now complete, the same question from friends and family has naturally followed: “What’s next?” For now, I’m still spending plenty of time in the office, maintaining my author profile and preparing for upcoming talks, presentations, and articles. That said, I do have a little more flexibility than before.

One item on my “future to-do list” was to explore the University of the Third Age (U3A). I knew there was an active local branch—popular enough to require a waiting list—and I was curious to see what it offered. U3A is a thriving international organisation that provides learning and social opportunities for those in their “third age”… though I’m not entirely sure I think of myself as a retiree just yet! With everything from lectures to hobby groups, it’s a wonderful way to stay mentally active and meet more people. After a short time on the waiting list, I was offered a membership space.

As I looked into it further, I discovered a particularly appealing subgroup called “The World in Books”, conveniently convened by a friend. Each month, the group focuses on a different country, with members choosing a book by an author from that place—fiction or non-fiction, whatever appeals. I’m told there are often fascinating common threads in writing from the same country. Since I enjoy both reading and learning about different cultures, it feels like a perfect fit—though I admit I’m not always great at sitting down with a book in the middle of the day. Perhaps that will change. The country for the May meeting is Finland, and I’ve already chosen a memoir. I’m looking forward to delving into it.

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​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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