August Newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

If you are an expat living in say Singapore or Dubai one tends to mix a lot with other expats. This creates a supportive community to smooth the transition. However, if you move to a country like New Zealand or Australia you are immediately immersed in the ordinary, suburban, day-to-day. We don’t have expat enclaves in the same way that the likes of Singapore and Dubai have. Expats and migrants, by in large are on their own. The elite sometimes benefit by the services of a relocation agent paid for by their employer. But the majority land at the airport and have to find their own way.
​It’s tough on parents and tough on children. There’s plenty of research and understanding of ‘how it is’ for ‘on the move’ families constantly living in expat communities. There’s not so much about long term expat and migrants. How do they fare? Do parents and 

​children thrive as they straddle their two cultural worlds? This is the topic ​of an upcoming FIGT webinar I mentioned last month. If you are based in New Zealand and the likes of Australia and interested in global mobility it could be a real eye opener. All are welcome to sit in on this session. It will be recorded for those who cannot attend on the day. Here's a link to a local article (see pg 42). For more information & to register please click here.

​As you’ve probably gathered I am a big supporter of #globalmobilitybooks and #globalmobilityauthors. Here is a Save a Date note for an Author Panel webinar I will facilitate in September. Full details will be included in the September newsletter.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​My second book, Being a Distance Son or Daughter - a Book for ALL Generations celebrated its second birthday in July.

I'm so glad that Helen wrote this book. Being away from parents is a challenge that accompanies so many in their expat experience (myself included!). Helen walks us through this journey with empathy, insights and reflections from researchers and her own valuable experience. I'll recommend it to my clients and I will consult it very often."
Gabriela Encina, Psychologist/Online Counseling for Women Abroad

​Being separated from family back home is one of the toughest gigs of expat/migrant life. Like a helping hand?
​Grab your copy today.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

I would like to say that July was an easy going, no drama month but sadly it was anything but. Sometimes life quietly ticks by, but there are other times when a lot is happening – that was July.
We have had our house on the market for months. We’re committed to, and excited about a new-build  apartment purchase that will be ready in October. Our present home is lovely property, everyone likes it. However, the New Zealand real estate market took an unexpected dive to a place it hasn’t been to in decades. What should have been easy, turned out to be very hard.
As time passed a deadline was looming that came with some non-negotiable factors. I had a date with a surgeon for a new hip – an event that isn’t conducive to opening your home to all 'n' sundry. After much pushing and shoving the ‘sold’ sticker was finally affixed to our

​For Sale sign - the same day the surgeon picked up his scalpel! 
When the No 1 priority is to recover in peace in a home with no foot traffic, it’s amazing what compromises and adjustments we’ll make.
Doing Distance Families takes lots resilience. I can’t help but feel that decades of Distance Familying adjustments and acceptance are good training for other parts of our lives.
Anyway, back to the topic. We are now in 'packing mode' and my recovery is going well. Our future plans have certainty and that’s a terrific place to be.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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