Both in our early 70's, we live an hour and a half away from our son and his family. We see them whenever they are able, as they are both working very hard, with our granddaughter in full-time nursery. She will be starting school later this year, and they have to find a qualified child-minder who can both take her to school and collect her, until they return from work. They are often so tired, they take it in turns to rest at the weekends while looking after their daughter.
We long to be of more help to them, without being intrusive, and wonder if moving closer might be the answer. We certainly would love to see her a little more than at present.
She is very loving towards me, and is reluctant to leave whenever they visit, and asks us when she will see us again.
Her other grandparents live the same distance away, and, no doubt, are probably feeling the same way.
We have discussed the idea of moving closer with our son. He said that he thought that we would be crazy to even think of moving from an area that we are so used to, and that they enjoyed coming to see us here. Also, he argued, the roads in his area are chaotic, and it would take us some time to settle.
However, when we have mentioned that if only we were living closer to them then we could help them whenever they needed us, then they have both agreed with the idea.
Whether to move or not to move? That is the question.
Good luck with your decision.
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