Overseas Grans

Hi Newatthis I know how you are feeling, but its not just overseas grans. My Daughter lives 300 mile from me with my autistic grandson. Shes a single parent and since my parents died and her Fathers mother also died she has no one near by.
Up until just before lockdown we didn't have a car so I had to travel by coach or train to see her which as I have mobility issues was difficult. I am longing for the time we will be able to go and see them but due to other health concerns that may be some time. We will get through this!

Yes hopefully we can see our families in the not too distant future Newatthis. In the meantime technology will have to suffice. All my grandchildren are grown up now so I don't have the same concerns as those grandparents of young children.
My concerns are more for their jobs and future now .

I normally see my UK Grandchildren once a year and it is only recently that I have come to the conclusion I will not see them physically this summer.
Museums and parks including the big wildlife one they all love are open here, and DGS asked his Mum yesterday if they would be getting the tickets for visiting soon, he was very upset to be told they will not come this year.
Not just the Grandparents who are disappointed.

Thank you Newatthis! I know at the moment we don't know when and indeed if, we'll be able to see our long distance DGC again in the not too distant future. In a way it helps to know there are so many of us in this situation. Let's, like the Queen, remind ourselves that indeed we'll meet again!

Thx for posting this - it’s hard being so far away from them generally, but not knowing when we will be allowed to visit again is extra tough. I try my best not to dwell on it. : (

It is difficult. Our first grandchild arrived at the beginning of May. We have been lucky enough to see her through a window but no ‘hands on’ as yet. She is a 2 hour round trip away, so not far but Can’t wait to cuddle her.

We had a new grandson born in January and our April flights to Canada were cancelled. I feel sad that we haven't met him yet. I'm desperate to squeeze his chubby little cheeks! We are lucky to receive photos and videos but we do miss them. Plans for Christmas hopefully and then will make up for it when we eventually retire! Thankfully everyone has stayed well.

My GC are in the USA for the second time! I get lovely facetime with them and was lucky to be there for a month in January as my daughter was in hospital. But...its the not knowing when we will meet again that is the clincher...love to all you long distance grans... lets hope for the best and pray for better!

Granny.
I do feel for all you grandparents who haven't been able to see your Grandchildren, I haven't seen my lovely Grandchildren since 2017 & that isn't do to the corona virus, it's to do with untruths told by social workers so believe me, I feel for you all..

My new grandson was born in February. I was due to fly to Canada in 3 weeks time to meet him and see my family. All this is cancelled. We have no idea when we shall next see each other in person. My grandson will be a toddler by the time we eventually get together.
We make do with Skype calls each week, so at least I can see him thrive and grow.

Sorry for all of you who can't see your families (particularly grandchildren) but it's not the end of the world so cheer up. Try to focus on the positives ... at least you and they are not living on the streets or in a refugee camp.
Time will move on and eventually you will all meet up again so stay optimistic and look for the glass half full rather than half empty.

My family are all in the US and I used to visit 2-3 times a year. Halcyon Days!
Because of my failing health, rather than CV-19, we email and send pics and videos of something that amuses us. No way do I want to Skype or Facetime. What? Put on makeup, do my hair etc.etc.etc? Much too vain, much too lazy

Arlean. How sad for you. I feel such sympathy for grandparents who can’t see their grandchildren on a permanent basis. It must be heartbreaking to have no contact at all.
At least I know that, sooner or later, I will get to Australia to see my new grandson and 3 year old granddaughter. We have lots of online chats, too, but she knew that I should have been there two months ago. It’s hard when she keeps asking why I haven’t come on the airplane yet.

Oh Esmerelda there is always one.
No it's not the end of the world but when you already have cancer and then the virus arrives so you are unable to travel to see your precious 3 new DGGC it's not a happy feeling.

I am so sorry for your situation Arlean because that must be so awful. for you

If you have grandchildren abroad it is TOTALLY different to those whose grandchildren are in the same country - regardless of distance. Leaving aside the Foreign Office travel ban and quarantine, there is no travel insurance available for Covid 19. There are high risks of infection at airports, planes, railway stations, tunnels and boats, particularly for those of us who are slightly older or vulnerable. Assuming we take a risk with our own health, no-one would want to put their family at risk.
I’m really trying to be brave about all this but it really doesn’t help when people keep going on about ‘not being able to touch’ their grandchildren. If only !

My new grandchild was born in mid May and I was only able to see him last Saturday. It has frankly been awful not being able to hold him. My daughter does not live far away but she might as well be on the moon for all the access I have to my grandchildren. Whilst on an intellectual level I know that I shall be able to cuddle them eventually - on an emotional level its hard.

We were lucky enough to see our small grandsons who live in NZ when they came to stay with us for 6 weeks at Christmas - they just got home as the virus was escalating in China. It had been 2 years since we'd last seen them. They do FaceTime occasionally but the time difference is prohibitive and the boys are not really interested in talking much. I do feel for all of you with new babies who are unable to have cuddles especially those who have had travel cancelled but I guess all of us with long distance relationships are probably used to it - not that it makes it any easier!

We haven't seen our 2 adult granddaughters who live 3 hours away since Christmas though and it's nearly a year since we saw their mum who was working when they last came. We did meet our son for half an hour in a motorway service car park a couple of weeks ago as he was up this way visiting a customer. We have no family here so we've got used to the loneliness over the years but we do sometimes feel surplus to requirements now

I am so happy that some other long distance GP and mums and dads feel the same as I do
I have 4 dds in u.s and oz and 4 dgc
The 2 in u.s are grown up, but the 2 dgd are coming up 11 and 7 years old
You are right it is the knowing when we will beable to see them again safely.
The u.s family were coming over in july for 6 weeks, well not now.
I we t for a walk with a friend last week and she was saying how hard it has been not to see her dgc and give them cuddles
Well a few days later she was able to see them and give them cuddles and is able to so child care again.
So yes it is hard for those whose family live close by, but only for a few months. Not maybe a lot longer
My youngest also asked mum, if I could go over to oz for her 7th birthday and mum told her I couldn't travel, so she said, cant nanna just say it is for a special occasion lol
Bless her, so hard

I totally understand, we live in Cheshire and 6 of our 7 grandchildren are in Yorkshire and Essex. All too far away for us to go within the day. Our new little girl is 1 month old and so cute I can't wait to give her a cuddle. We haven't seen them since January and my '6 week itch' has remained as a constant now. I try and tell myself that as long as they are all safe that is what matters most. Thank goodness for technology.

Also I didnt meet my youngest gd in oz till she was a year old, when I went over for her bday

I feel that people over 70 years of age with or without a medical condition, have been forgotten by the government. Every time they release a bit more of the lockdown they add- But this does not apply to people who are shielding. We are healthy with medication for various things, but I still feel that the last 13 weeks have been like serving a prison sentence. My neighbours have friends or family half a dozen or so drinking and screaming with laughter in the back garden. Wow,life’s a gas I think. We used to have such a good social life with friends before this, but they all involved - Pubs, restaurants, the theatre, days out, I am struggling. No good saying that there are people worse off than me, as there are also people a lot better off.

Oh Jeanie so many sad stories, those of us who were actually due to visit what a disappointment! And what do you say to the young DGC eagerly expecting you? Let's hope we'll all get there eventually!

Oh Jeannie I feel for you, your grandchild asking you to come to their birthday party in oz! That’s when it really hurts.
On my last visit to Canada, my small grandson said “don’t leave me nanny”. makes me cry every time.
Kate - your family are all in the UK so it is not comparable.

100% agree with vickymeldrew and her post at 11.28.
My GC are in Canada and there is absolutely no chance of getting to see them in the foreseeable future for all the reasons she stated. International travel will not be possible, particularly for us older ones