July Newsletter

Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

​It is heart-warming to know so many distance families are on the move.

​Air New Zealand is currently relaunching 14 international routes in 16 days. They say it is much easier to close an airline down than reopen it, so this is a huge achievement. Still on the subject of Air New Zealand in an article discussing the variation in mask use around the world. I loved the line, “Covid isn’t going to be absent from your trip completely… Air NZ doesn’t sell trips to 2019.” So true.

​On the flip side there is debate from either side as to whether fewer people are considering a move overseas and/or returning for good – thanks to the pandemic. This article created debate with arguments for and against.

On a cheerier note I loved this article shared by multilingual expert Ute Limach-Riebold about how laughter is expressed around the world. It was a revelation and good to know if your family is multicultural. And talking about all things multi-cultural, here is a list of the best 25 books on the topic.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​Here at last… Being a Distance Son or Daughter. Today the e-book and paperback are available globally.

If you are an expat or migrant, do you occasionally struggle navigating relationships with home?

Likewise, if you’re one of the folks back home, are there times you don’t fully ‘get’ your scattered family?
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Being a Distance Son or Daughter will gently connect the dots for all generations. Gems, hints and tips are available for the taking. 

With a book launch comes a bunch of interviews. If you’re an expat or migrant you’re most welcome to plug in here on Thursday 28 July (10am Paris, 4pm Singapore, 6pm Sydney & 8pm Auckland). I will be answering questions and we’ll have a few laughs about Being a Distance Son or Daughter.

Click here to buy your copy. Thank you for your support.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

​The rest of June had us continuing our U.S. family visit and off to Florida for two weeks at Club Med with all the family. Two excited grandsons didn’t quite know how to greet their kiwi grandparents. It had been three and a half years and that’s a lifetime when you’re a wee lad. But it didn’t take long before they were ‘in the groove’ as we read the books we’d brought from New Zealand, built sandcastles (while Nanma was on alligator watch), swam in the pool, ate at the extensive buffet and shuffled between Mama’s room and ours. Our normally tidy accommodation was regularly littered with wet swimming gear, snorkels, flippers, assorted clothing in various states of cleanliness and don’t forget the sand that graced our bed. Each night we’d hope the toothbrushes were in the right place. We confess to allowing Netflix to make itself at home and when the boys were at the Kids Club we took off for a golf lessons. When you haven’t been around small children for years it’s okay to give yourself a break and not attempt to be super-grandies. Loads of memories were had and I came home with the best tan for years.

​To make allowance for a PCR test the NZ government originally decreed we would have to take we’d booked a two night stopover in Los Angeles. LAX’s parting gift to us was COVID which made its presence felt in a jetlagged infused haze a few days after our return. Yes, it was annoying, but on the other hand the timing, if it had to happen, was impeccable. Our vacation wasn't ruined and we’d allowed for some down time upon arrival anyway. ​​We’re coming out the other end now and have much to be grateful for. Our goal was to draw a line in the sand with COVID and family separation and we well and truly achieved that.

Take care until next time
​Helen Ellis