July Newsletter

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

Publisher backstory

​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.

In-country family

​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.              

Grandparent Zoom chats

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.

Distance Grandparent Zoom Chat

Book Review: This Messy Mobile Life

“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.

REVIEW

Updates

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:

UPDATES