May/June Newsletter

​Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

​CONTINUOUS LEARNING
One of the joys of being part of the global mobility world is the opportunity for continuous learning. This month I attended the virtual Families in Global Transition's (#FIGT) forum. Years ago FIGT hosted in-person conferences somewhere in the world. I was booked to travel to Bangkok early 2020 for my first conference but we all know what happened then. This was FIGT's third virtual conference and it looks like online will be the way of the future - pandemic or no pandemic. 
These events require a logistics degree to figure out when to schedule speakers as so many time zones are involved. For me it was a Saturday night. Others were having breakfast and the hardy ones get up in the middle of the night. I always leave refreshed and invigorated and enjoy being part of this global community.

​CHICAGO IN-PERSON EVENTS
Just a reminder about my meet-the-author, co-hosted Chicago Distance Families events in May and June.
The lovely Chicago based Linda Mueller is an Expat Coach and Founder of International Women in Chicago. Linda does an amazing job gathering expats, arranging events and creating a community of like-minded women experiencing similar transitions. In 2022 Linda kindly hosted an author event and I met with some of her community.
We're doing it again - this time a 10am session on Wednesday 8 May and a 6.30pm session on Tuesday 4 June. Venues will be confirmed by Linda but they are likely to be in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. If you know any expats or migrants in Chicago please send them this link. I would love to meet them. Please visit the IWIC Facebook page for full details.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

Have you followed these newsletters but never actually read one of the Distance Families Book Series? I invite you to do so. They really are a great resource whether you’re the left behind kin, or the away generation.

The other week I did a video interview for an upcoming, super useful resource. Think... Yellow Pages for global mobility - who and where to go to for advice, information and expertise. I will let you know when it’s live.
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I was asked to explain what my books are about and why they would be useful. My response was that all expats and migrants have intergenerational family somewhere that are affected in a small or large way by their move. Understanding, empathizing and accepting ‘how it is’ for the other generations of your Distance Family are crucial to thriving relationships.

​Sadly, these topics are rarely raised over the kitchen table or online calls between generations.  The subtitle of my books is, A Book For ALL Generations. The grandparent book isn’t just for grandparents and the Son/Daughter book isn’t just for expats and migrants. The upcoming grandchild book won't be just for grandchildren. Actively learning ‘how it is’ for the ‘other’ generation is a generous Distance Families act of love and fills voids you didn’t know existed in a helpful, settling way - a case of, 'you don't know what you don't know.

To those who have read my books – thank you. Your greatest gift to me is to write a review, somewhere so others can learn from you. Amazon is the most valuable platform but depending on where you live in the world, and how often you shop with them it isn’t always possible to leave a review there. Here’s a link to a bunch of platforms including Amazon.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

It’s hard to believe it is three and a months since we returned from our mega Northern Hemisphere travels. So much has happened - getting our house on the market, enjoying our UK granddaughter’s visit and right now, we’re about to get on a plane again to properly visit our U.S. family.

Our new Chicago grandson has grown from the three week old we cradled in January while watching snow storms outside. We've had our first Facetime call and we could tell he was entranced.
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We’ll also visit Atlanta and be there when our grandsons (7 and 9 yrs) break up from school for the summer. We haven’t been there since 2018. ​​There’s so much of our daughter and grandsons' Atlanta to catch up with and we’re really excited about that.

Our grandsons have learned about Australian cricket from watching Bluey. The cry from Atlanta is, "Can Grandad teach us cricket?" The plastic set is bought and the book is packed. 

I will be home mid-June and for the first time since the pandemic times there are no more travels booked.

​The priorities will be:

• Sell our house
• Get the first of two hip replacements done
• Move into our new apartment
• Work on and publish Being a Distance Grandchild 

I think that will keep me busy!

There won't be a newsletter in June, but I'll be back in July as normal.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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