Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
On the flip side there is debate from either side as to whether fewer people are considering a move overseas and/or returning for good – thanks to the pandemic. This article created debate with arguments for and against.
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With a book launch comes a bunch of interviews. If you’re an expat or migrant you’re most welcome to plug in here on Thursday 28 July (10am Paris, 4pm Singapore, 6pm Sydney & 8pm Auckland). I will be answering questions and we’ll have a few laughs about Being a Distance Son or Daughter. Click here to buy your copy. Thank you for your support. ON THE HOME FRONTThe rest of June had us continuing our U.S. family visit and off to Florida for two weeks at Club Med with all the family. Two excited grandsons didn’t quite know how to greet their kiwi grandparents. It had been three and a half years and that’s a lifetime when you’re a wee lad. But it didn’t take long before they were ‘in the groove’ as we read the books we’d brought from New Zealand, built sandcastles (while Nanma was on alligator watch), swam in the pool, ate at the extensive buffet and shuffled between Mama’s room and ours. Our normally tidy accommodation was regularly littered with wet swimming gear, snorkels, flippers, assorted clothing in various states of cleanliness and don’t forget the sand that graced our bed. Each night we’d hope the toothbrushes were in the right place. We confess to allowing Netflix to make itself at home and when the boys were at the Kids Club we took off for a golf lessons. When you haven’t been around small children for years it’s okay to give yourself a break and not attempt to be super-grandies. Loads of memories were had and I came home with the best tan for years. To make allowance for a PCR test the NZ government originally decreed we would have to take we’d booked a two night stopover in Los Angeles. LAX’s parting gift to us was COVID which made its presence felt in a jetlagged infused haze a few days after our return. Yes, it was annoying, but on the other hand the timing, if it had to happen, was impeccable. Our vacation wasn't ruined and we’d allowed for some down time upon arrival anyway. We’re coming out the other end now and have much to be grateful for. Our goal was to draw a line in the sand with COVID and family separation and we well and truly achieved that. Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
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June NewsletterWelcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
I have had a couple of cameos this month. The May theme for FIGT was guilt: guilt of the left behind family and all the other types of guilt that land on the shoulders of Distance Families. Here I read an extract from my latest book, Being a Distance Son or Daughter. Later in the month I had my first ‘live on YouTube’ experience with a webinar hosted by multi-lingual expert Ute Limacher-Riebold PhD of Ute’s International Lounge. She asked some great questions, and I was brutally honest. There are plenty of other articles and interviews on the Distance Families website. BOOK SERIES NEWS
Ana McGinley is the author of Parental Guidance: Long Distance Care for Aging Parents, the only complementary title in the marketplace. This is what she had to say about Being a Distance Son or Daughter. “I have been a global citizen for much longer than was a stationary citizen. Not fully belonging anywhere is a feeling I am comfortable with, and even crave if I stay too long in any one place. My husband and children understand this feeling, even if they experience it somewhat differently. My family and oldest friends love telling stories about my newest location but really know very little about my experiences. It has always been this way. Until I read Helen´s book, I was unaware that the way I felt and bumbled through my oldest relationships was common to serial expats. This book provided insight into how others have found solutions to navigate distant relationships in a way that can be mutually satisfying. As my own adult children start to scatter around the globe, I have the advantage of being able to experience their joy secondhand, combined with new knowledge on managing our future distant relationships. What an excellent life resource!” Order your copy now and be one of the first to read Being a Distance Son or Daughter - a Book for ALL Generations ON THE HOME FRONT
I had the privilege of reading an advance copy of Helen's latest book "Being a Distance Son or Daughter" and I highly recommend it. Helen's research, resources, and vulnerable insight have me both patting myself on the back for the things I've done well AND considering ways that I can improve how I distance family. It's truly a book for 'ALL' generations. Take care until next time
Helen Ellis Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
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. BOOK SERIES NEWS
ON THE HOME FRONT
Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
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ON THE HOME FRONT
Take care
Helen Ellis AVAILABLE NOW - AUDIOBOOK VERSION OF Being a Distance GrandparentAfter 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. Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com 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. DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
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Kindest regards
Helen Ellis Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com 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. DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWSAfter 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:
BOOK SERIES NEWS
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. ON THE HOME FRONTJanuary'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 Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com 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! DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
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. BOOK SERIES NEWS
ON THE HOME FRONTChristmas 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 Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com 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'. DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS
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. BOOK SERIES NEWS
ON THE HOME FRONTOur 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 Welcome to the monthly newsletter from DistanceFamilies.com 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 BOOK SERIES NEWS
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Thanks for reading. I look forward to chatting next month.
Kind regards Helen Ellis DistanceFamilies.com helen.ellis.nz@gmail.com |
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