March Newsletter

Since the last newsletter Auckland and the rest of New Zealand have been in and out of different level lockdowns again. It reminds me of a saying and movie title, If today is Tuesday, This must be Belgium. Each day you wake up and have to remind yourself where's the world at today? and what are today's rules?
Plans of the NZ virtual wedding breakfast for our Chicago son are now surrounded with a cloud of question marks. A case of 'wait and see', like so many things.
Lockdown has made little difference to me Monday-Friday as I am buried in my office. Each day is full of important  decisions about tiny details of the book design of Being a Distance Grandparent. A shout out to Summertime Publishing whose attention to detail is second to none. You can expect a book launch date by the next newsletter.
I am making a start on Being a Distance Son or Daughter and every so often getting diverted across to Being a Distance Grandchild. Terrific to be able to pour myself into these publications. 
Take care until next time
Helen

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New cover

DistanceFamilies.com is delighted to announce the safe arrival of a darling new cover. Mother and babe both well. She'll be showing her face in April 2021. For the latest feedback click here.

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The many sides of the Covid story

​"It is only now I realise the toll the pandemic has taken’: a letter from the other side of Covid."

Click here

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The mysteries of anthropology

​When I describe myself, depending on where I am and who I am talking to, I might gingerly refer to myself as an anthropologist, albeit a fledgling one. Where did this begin? Dr Graeme Macrae from Massey University in Auckland has to take some responsibility. When I did my undergraduate degree I sat in his classes and he would take me on an exotic journey to peoples and cultures afar. Later he was one of my M.A. thesis supervisors.
I never ended up researching the peoples of New Guinea or doing fieldwork in a village in Africa. Instead, my research took me to the lounge rooms (physical and virtual) of distance grandparents and a mainstream book series.
​Thank you Graeme.

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The maternal grandparent advantage

​Mothers and Mothers-in-law - we've all got a story. I have seen many sides to this discussion and write about it in my book. This article is a good read and is still relevant to distance families.

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