August Newsletter

Welcome to the August newsletter.

Book News

​July continued with much media activity and there is still more to come. I was privileged to participate in what’s considered in NZ ,the Holy Grail of new-author media opportunities – an interview with Kathryn Ryan on the Nine to Noon Radio NZ show. Kathryn is based in Wellington and I had to go to the Auckland studio. I don’t know if I was more nervous about securing entry to their building’s locked underground carpark and finding my allocated carpark, or the actual interview. Anyway, both went like clockwork and feedback has been positive.

​My book is now available in South Africa via Loot and TakeaLot. I have a deep compassion for South African Distance Families especially the folks back home.
Book reviews continue to be positive for which I am most grateful and my book in a recommend Top Five Books list for migrants moving to Australia.
I continue to add resources to DistanceFamilies.com. There are articles and helpful books to read, podcasts to listen to and videos to watch – pick what works for you.
You’ll find me on social media if that's your cup of tea. I treat each platform differently. There is some cross over of content, but much is personalised for each platform.
Right now I am making head roads into writing and researching Being a Distance Son or Daughter – a Book for ALL Generations. It will be published next year.

Distance Families News

​I have noticed many distance families in the Northern Hemisphere reconnecting during your summer. This is wonderful to see. COVID-19 has forced us to be so grateful for physical family connections. We’ll never take them for granted again. Paula Span the Family writer for The New York Times collaborated with Emily Morgan from The Grand Life in an article about intergenerational family gatherings.

​When I was a university student I had the privilege of meeting Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley. He presented me with a couple of awards which was nice when you are a mature student in a young people's world. His area of expertise is demographics, migration/emigration. He is cited in my book and when he kindly reviewed it he wrote... 

​The demography of high-income societies in the 21st century is fascinating in its implications. This book deals with an aspect that has received little attention, distance grandparenting. It provides an engaging account of the issues and helps answers the questions about "why" as well as the "how to". I thoroughly recommend this book, both for those who are already "distance grandparents" and for those who are interested.

​Here he writes about NZ'S aging population. So much applies to other countries.

On the home front

​Hubby has recovered well from his knee replacement. He then caught the flu and generously shared it with me. How kind.

I'm not particularly athletic but Saturdays you generally find me brushing off my walking/jogging shoes to participate in the local #ParkRun. Recent early starts have made for contrasting photos.

Thanks for reading. Catch you in September.
Kind regards

Helen Ellis