​CNN is anticipating travel chaos during the 2022 Northern Hemisphere summer.  Depending on where you're travelling to/from determines what COVID test/s (if any) you need to do pre-departure in either direction. The day or two before flying is busy enough without needing to fit in a COVID test - but that's the new normal. Furthermore, once you're on foreign territory you then need to figure out where you'll get your test done prior to departing and factor in the time allowing for something to go wrong. All of this isn't for the faint hearted. We're heading to the States and need to do tests at both ends. We have a plan. If you're travelling I recommend you really think this all through, well in advance.

I agree that it's all a real pain but I'd also call it a 'nice problem', because at least we can connect with family now.

Take care
​Helen Ellis

After 9 trips to the studio and 19 hours of recording time I am delighted to announce the audiobook version of Being a Distance Grandparent - a Book for ALL Generations is now available. 
The audio book industry is the fastest growing sector in the publishing world. When we're tired of watching a screen, simply listening while doing something else can be a refreshing change. Increasingly older readers who struggle to hold a book and/or have vision challenges find audiobooks a boon. 

To listen to a sample click here
For reviews click here
To order click here (on the right) ​

To readers with connections in Ukraine my heart goes out to you. It is so hard to get our heads around what is happening there. I found comfort in a post by author and expat, Mariam Navaid Ottimofiore who wrote 'The Messy Mobile Life'. As another European based friend said, "The mood is heavy here in Europe. The pandemic is feeling like a distant memory."

Back home Omicron has well and truly made itself at home in New Zealand. Our infection numbers have gone through the roof and RAT test kits are finally in the shops. After an endless wait the government has decided to allow expat kiwis and their families from anywhere to enter NZ with no strings attached. Gone is managed hotel isolation - gone is home isolation - 'Fortress New Zealand', as we've been known by, is no longer. Needless to say every kiwi Distance Family is elated.

Kindest regards
​Helen Ellis

The past month has been extra tough for many with Omicron making itself at home. Locally it's arrived but not prevalent yet. There's no official lockdown in NZ but for sure, the nation is cautious.
​Much is happening behind the scenes at DistanceFamilies.com. 

After the on again, off again border announcements from the NZ government we're back in business. NZ citizens and permanent residents may arrive soon requiring only home isolation, albeit for 10 days instead of the earlier seven. Hubby and I are SO looking forward to the first of our three overseas adult children arriving in March. It's been three years plus since we've seen each other. The other two and a couple of grandkids will follow later in 2022.

Enjoy reading about global mobility and distance families? There are plenty of resources:

• Follow #globalmobilitybooks
• Look for book reviews on Instagram @helenellis.author 
• There are oodles of Distance Family articles here.​

​In the meantime I'm excited as the the manuscript for 'Being a Distance Son or Daughter - a Book for ALL Generations' begins it first round of professional proofreading next week.  It will be published later in 2022. Advance beta-reader comments are online.

January's highlight was our holiday to the Covid-free, South Pacific island of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. Once the negative test results came through we thought the fun and games of travelling was over. No such luck. On our first day nearby Tonga experienced its tragic volcano explosion. We were staying on the beach with a tsnuami warning! In the end coastal surges appeared on the other side of the island and we were safe and sound.
​Then a couple of days later a cyclone arrived with torrential rain and sideways winds. We spent a few days avoiding falling coconuts and newly formed pot-holes, mainly huddled in our cottage. 
The day before we were supposed to leave the daily Air NZ flight had three aborted landings returning to NZ. Flights were cancelled for two days and we left a day late. It was an adventure with a capital A but still fabulous. Paradise is still paradise even when the weather is off.

Kindest regards
​Helen Ellis

It's summer here and New Zealand has gingerly opened up from all our pandemic restrictions and we're trying to be 'normal'. Christmas was celebrated with our in-country family and a bunch of Facetime & Whatsapp calls with those overseas. Much of the country is now away on their summer holidays. Omicron has arrived, but so far, with a couple of exceptions it's trapped at the border, as new arrivals have their managed isolation stays extended - lucky them!

I have recently taken on the co-chair role of the Australian/New Zealand Affiliate of Families in Global Transition (FIGT). I hope to be expand awareness of FIGT in this part of the world. It's a terrific resource for expats and migrants.

Christmas and summer are times to down tools but I confess there hasn't been much of that on my part. Later in January though, we're heading to COVID-free Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, and it will be down tools then. We really can't believe what a blessing this holiday is considering where the world's at. Right now we don't have to isolate in either direction. We've been to the Cooks once before and it's honestly as beautiful as the link videos show. We're not sure how reliable the WIFI will be but if I can share any photos they'll land on Instagram @helenellis.author.

​We've been enjoying our new extended garden and for the first time I have dahlias to be proud of. Newly planted trees are surviving in the heat and look like they'll hang around for the long term.

Kindest regards
​Helen Ellis

This week Auckland opened up. We're able to go to bars, restaurants and retail outlets and show our Covid Pass as proof of a being double vaxxed. I've had my first hairdresser appointment since July.  Heaven on a plate. After 100+ days of our world being on hold it feels strange to chat face to face with anyone, let alone have people visit our home. As we cross our fingers that Omicron isn't another Delta let's make the most of Christmas as best as we can. Keep expectations realistic and the menu simple, and as they say in Hawaii, 'hang loose'. 

​This is a thought provoking article on grandparenting. My research within Distance Families indicates that the parent/adult child relationship tends to be more dominant, rather than the grandparent/grandchild, but that could just as much be due to familiarity & the distance. There are always exceptions.
​Also, here is a link to an article I wrote about Expat Guilt. Many more articles available here.

Our garden is at its best November to January. Last month I told you about the new outdoor table. Well here it is in all its 300+ kg concrete glory. One day we'll either have to sell the house with the table, or the table with the house...  it is here to stay. There is a competition in our neighbourhood for the best decorated house. We definitely won't win it with our efforts, but some are looking fantastic. Seasons greetings to you all and looking forward to catching up next time in 2022.
Kindest regards
​Helen Ellis

Will there come a day when COVID-19 isn't a universal topic of conversation? It sure is here, because Auckland's at Day 79 of the strictest lockdown restrictions the world has seen, while also achieving one of the highest vaccination rates and lowest % of ICU patient numbers. Next week retail shops reopen which we're so excited about... even those of us who aren't shoppers. No hairdressers yet. Many of you have been here, I know.
I do hope that next month I can report that NZ has been transformed into a welcoming, open, fully functioning country.
In the meantime, those of you heading into winter I hope you're escaping the bad flu that seems to be lurking around every corner.
Take care
​Helen Ellis

​Thanks for reading. I look forward to chatting next month.
Kind regards

​Helen Ellis
​DistanceFamilies.com
​helen.ellis.nz@gmail.com

Welcome to the October Newsletter from Distance Families.

Here in Auckland, New Zealand we're into our longest lockdown ever.  I don't get bored as I am working on the next book, Being a Distance Son or Daughter - a Book for ALL Generations, but, like everyone else I'd love to easily meet friends and local family in person, meander the paths of a garden centre (it is Spring here!) and travel more than a few kms from home.  We've had to cancel two holidays as we can't leave Auckland.

It is interesting to observe where each country 'is at' with COVID-19. We're all in such different places of thinking with varying government plans of reopening to the world. For our children and grandchildren in the U.S. and U.K. they're experiencing a new form of 'business as normal', while we're still locked away. It all makes for some animated family chats as we discuss the pros and cons. It's been three years since we've seen each other and it feels like we've done our time, so to speak. Crossing our fingers 2022 brings a change of direction.

Enjoy the news and thank you for supporting Distance Families.

Kind regards
Helen Ellis
​Founder

Review of Being a Distance Grandparent - a Book for ALL Generations. 
​Today this new review appeared on Amazon UK and it warmed my heart. 

My passion and drive behind this book series is to make a difference and help all generations of Distance Families. Thanks to this reviewer. If you've read my book and would like to leave a review for me I would be delighted to receive it. Here is a link to online platforms.

@drawntoastory is the home of Cath Brew's artistry. Cath designed the internal layout of my book and also drew the lovely sketches. Here is one for your enjoyment. 

#GlobalMobilityBooks
In a desire to support other global mobility authors I have starting reviewing a fellow author's book every Friday on Instagram at @helenellis.author. Here are the first two titles:
​
                    Cultural Chemistry by Patti McCarthy                                        #LivingTheDream by Adrienne Walder et al.

Best article of the month

​This one is my top pick. A heartwarming message for all generations.
A Grandmother's Love and Limits: A Letter to my Mom
​
​I was delighted to have an article published in the online magazine, Among Worlds
Distance Grandparent/Grandchild Relationships: A Slow Cooker Metaphor

Website     DistanceFamilies.com

I have spent some time tidying the website. There's a new dedicated page for interviews (podcasts, webinars & radio) and articles have a separate page also. Social media links are now at Follow.

Global shopping platforms are here. NZ readers... you'll find a page of book shops that stock my book. If you live overseas and wish to send a copy to your folks back home in NZ please support these retailers. They need your business right now!

Thanks for reading. I look forward to chatting next month.
Kind regards

​Helen Ellis
​DistanceFamilies.com
​helen.ellis.nz@gmail.com

Welcome to the September newsletter

My book is landing in bookshops in New Zealand which is very exciting. A big thank you to @nationwide.books for a job well done.

Being a Distance Grandparent - a Book for ALL Generations will feature in the
FIGT Australia/New Zealand Affiliate
Monday 13 September
​Six Author Online Seminar
​The book topics are diverse.
90 minutes
All welcome - FREE
For authors' bios, time zone info and to register click here.

Every month I devour numerous articles regarding mobility, transnational families and all things globalisation. I select just the best for my social media feeds and load those with longevity onto the website's Resources page.

My top picks this month are:
How Living Abroad Helps You Develop a Clearer Sense of Self
The evolution of global mobility
​
And I have written a couple of articles myself:
Distance Grandparenting and Ambiguous Loss
​Hats off to NZ Distance Grandparents - the Voice of Knowing

Global mobility human resources players admit little thought is given to their employees' wellbeing as members of a Distance Family: a role that never leaves their being even with job and career changes. COVID-19 has seriously disrupted 'doing' Distance Families and this affects employees' wellbeing. The Employee Mobility Institute (TEMI) is Australasia’s foremost community based network of Global Workforce Management professionals solely focused on supporting individuals and organisations develop, grow and strengthen their cross border talent management capabilities globally. TEMI wishes to bring Distance Families into the arena and I am proud to report I have been nominated for their 2021 TEMI Awards. 

On the domestic/NZ front one case of the Delta virus infiltrated the community and immediately the whole country went into a 'hard and fast' lockdown, and we're still there. In fairness we have had life sort of as normal since February. This drastic move is paying off as current new infections are all close household contacts and not unexpected. The numbers are going down, but there's still a few weeks to go before we can come out of our bubble. My email IN box is filling with cancellation messages - shows, holidays, choir concerts, dinners with friends etc. I would describe life as pretty vanilla but at least we're safe and well. So back to Zoom 'Drinks n Nibbles' and walks within 2 kms.

Back in March I submitted my Master's Distance Grandparenting thesis to the Expatriate Archive Centre based in the Netherlands, for a global competition recognising the importance of telling and recording expatriates' stories. I was pretty chuffed to wake up one morning to this news from Europe.

Take care and keep safe.
​Helen Ellis