July Newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

Are you an expat or immigrant in New Zealand or Australia or considering moving to one or the other country? Here are two excellent blogs I’d recommend your following. They are both packed with super useful information. 
                                                                                      Australia                    New Zealand

Separately, if you’re parenting in International School circles this blog is a goodie.

Talking of International Schools, this month I will be facilitating a webinar that is open to all. 
Bianca will be sharing some interesting discoveries from her PhD work on accent and TCKs (Third Culture Kids). She will talk about what’s different about accent development in English-speaking expatriate communities, using Hong Kong and Singapore as examples. She will then talk about the role of identity and belonging in accent change after children move to a permanent home, using New Zealand as an example. She is looking forward to discussing these findings after her talk.
Bianca is originally from New Zealand and grew up as a TCKin Hong Kong. She has worked as a Speech-Language Therapist since 2000 and recently completed her PhD entitled "Dialect Change and 'Returning' Third Culture Kids". She now lectures Speech-Language Therapy at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand, where she lives with her 4-year old son, Elliot.

The session will be recorded. Register in advance here to join us live or later receive a link to the recording.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​In publishing circles cover design is a hot topic. Every detail is analysed to the nth degree. I decided the upcoming grandchild book’s cover needed some slight tweaking. After consulting the experts and several back and forth changes, here’s the updated cover with its additional subtitle. 

Right now I am busy interviewing past and present Distance Grandchildren from across the globe. Like to know what they've been saying? Scroll down here for some insightful feedback.

To be published in 2024

Bi-lingual and multilingual wordsmiths - I need your help please. I want to expand my list of non-English words that are strongly connected to families and relationships - words that don't have an exact English translation. e.g. the Danish hygge (sense of content cosiness) or Welsh hierith (deep, yearning homesickness). 
Are you able to add to my list? I plan to feature these words in Being a Distance Grandchild. Please send me a message if you can help. Thanks HE

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ON THE HOME FRONT

The most exciting news I am finally able to share is that hubby and I have another grandchild on the way.
Those of you who have been following Distance Families for at least a couple of years will recall the pandemic virtual wedding of our Chicago son and daughter-in-law in 2021. They are expecting a son, due between Christmas and New Year.
We will be in the U.K. visiting other family then. After ensuring we wouldn't be imposing we have changed our January homebound flights. Instead of returning via the East we'll travel around the other side of the world, via the States for a brief cuddle.
This is a lovely addition to our family and our 6th grandchild to be born overseas.

Lastly, we travelled to Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand during June and experienced some stunning scenery. Here are the promised photos.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
P.S. Not registered to receive this monthly newsletter? You may register on the right of this page. Thanks for your support. HE