May Newsletter

Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com

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DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

​It feels like everyone is travelling. Most people I talk to are either heading somewhere themselves, or having visitors fly in.  

Flights in and out of New Zealand are frequently fully booked. Bookings are dominated by what the travel industry refers to as the VFR market (visiting friends and relatives) - that's us -  Distance Families. 

​CNN is anticipating travel chaos during the 2022 Northern Hemisphere summer.  Depending on where you're travelling to/from determines what COVID test/s (if any) you need to do pre-departure in either direction. The day or two before flying is busy enough without needing to fit in a COVID test - but that's the new normal. Furthermore, once you're on foreign territory you then need to figure out where you'll get your test done prior to departing and factor in the time allowing for something to go wrong. All of this isn't for the faint hearted. We're heading to the States and need to do tests at both ends. We have a plan. If you're travelling I recommend you really think this all through, well in advance.

I agree that it's all a real pain but I'd also call it a 'nice problem', because at least we can connect with family now.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

April delivered the first birthday for Being a Distance Grandparent. Where has the last 12 months gone? What a journey it has been. Writing my first book will always go down as a milestone achievement but more importantly are all the people (all generations) who have been affected by it. Their comments are so gratifying.

“I wish I had read this book before our first translocation. This book is a well-structured, informative and knowledge-based read about distance grandparenting. Throughout the book Helen offers a broad range of perspectives as a New Zealander distance grandparent, which gives a very authentic yet disciplinary approach to the understanding of the topic. With her honesty and personal voice the book becomes a very enjoyable easy read. It is a must-read for each member of a distance family, a book you should read over and over again.”
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Judit Végh
Intercultural Psychology Expert
www.refocusinternational.com

The manuscript for Being a Distance Son or Daughter is DONE and right now much beavering is going on behind the scenes producing what the book industry calls the 'internal file'. It is all about 'copy and pasting' 60,000 words from a plain WORD file into a special programme that lays it out, page by page for both the paperback and e-book editions. There's lots to think about. What font, how to display headings, topics and even where to put the page numbers. Can't believe how I have taken these details for granted any time I pick up a book. As my books form a series you'll find all these little details are consistent from one edition to the next.  If you've read the Grandparent book you'll be right at home in the Son/Daughter book.
By the end of May New Zealanders will be able to order a paperback edition. For the rest of the world pre-ordering for both the e-book and paperback will be possible in a few weeks with the publishing date set for 7/7/22.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

We've had to say goodbye to our U.K. son who has been visiting for 5 weeks. He caught up with many friends and family and it's been lovely having our spare bedroom finally occupied. Life feelings like it is returning to some version of a new normal.

Now it is countdown to our U.S. visit to see family. The To Do list is written and I am one of those people who revels in crossing each item off. I even confess to having an Excel Packing Chart I print each time we're heading away! 

Take care until next time
​Helen Ellis