September Newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

​The Biggest Culture Gaps are Within Countries, Not Between Them

,Curiosity about all-things global mobility is a beneficial attribute for members of Distance Families. When your understanding is continuously growing as to ‘how it is’ for the other generations of your family it’s easier to find empathy for their situation rather than solely focus on your own.
 
I love sharing articles that increase understanding of intergenerational global families. Here's a selection.
 
Resources for those arriving in a new location
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The cost to organisations of failed global assignments
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Overcoming expat guilt

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

Did you know there is an audio version of Being a Distance Grandparent narrated by me?
What’s more it’s a (distance) family affair. My Chicago based broadcaster son, Robbie narrated the Foreword written by Professor Loretta Baldassar. Loretta is a global expert scholar on the subject of families caring from a distance and I was honoured to have her support the book project.

I just finished your audiobook today and feel like I know you and your family even though I've never actually met you. Thank you for sharing your struggles and challenges so openly. It's truly a great inspiration for me.
Anieke Lamers, Distance Aunt & Founder of Peekabond

Here's a link to a recorded introduction from me.

​The audio book is available on all the normal platforms and is a perfect addition to public library audio collections - if you have any influence!

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ON THE HOME FRONT

,​1st of September is the first day of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The end of our garden along the fence line loses the sun all winter but come the start of Spring sunshine filters through warming the soil and alerting the hydrangeas to wake up and get ready to display a spectacular Summer show.

On the subject of growing our U.S. daughter-in-law is proudly showing the world a lovely baby bump. We look forward to cradling our new grandson next January.

A recent office acquisition is a stand up desk. Years of sitting at a desk for university study and writing books has *** my body a bit. I am expecting great things from this new installation!

Finally, we’re off shortly for a week’s sun in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. It a 3+ hour flight away across the Pacific Ocean. We cross the Dateline and arrive the day before! Last time we went in January 2022 we flew in on Day 2 after the island reopened after the pandemic. It was also the same day of the Tongan volcano explosion. The Guardian quoted that the volcano released 1000 times more energy than the Hiroshima bomb. It was a tad disconcerting as our accommodation was on the beach. Anyway, we survived that. Then a couple of days later a cyclone arrived. We had to stay indoors for 24-48 hours to avoid flying coconuts and flooded roads. Crossing our fingers this time for calm, warm weather and a few days of blissful RnR. Maybe we'll see chickens at the airport again!

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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