Sadly the Daily Mail article rings true. (NOT my favourite paper at all normally I have to say).
I have 2 grandchildren who live about 4 miles away from me and 2 more who live almost 300 miles away . I still rarely see the local ones because they are too busy with work ,school, swimming lessons etc .to include me . I've just asked my daughter if I can meet them near where they live next Friday ,when she isn't at work. The answer was 'I haven't got that far! '. I can't see them at weekends as that is their Family time (yes, I do understand the need for that) or on her other
day off because that is shopping and Playgroup day.
I live alone and do have as active a social life as possible, but time with family means the world to me. --or would do.
I haven't seen my other granddaughters since August 2014 because of distance, shift work there, etc . They haven't been back here (parents hometown) to visit since December 2013.
This all sounds pathetic , I know, but it IS hard,