Grandkids moving away

We have relatives who live 2 hours away and this evening have just come back from seeing them. We set off at 9am this morning and got back at 7pm. Two hours is doable in a day. Not just up the road but not far. Other relatives are 3 hours away and we sometimes do that in a day too though it’s tiring.

I sympathise, my son and family will move to the other end of the UK from me soon. I look after the children on a regular basis and I'll of course miss my son, who I have a close relationship with.
They will be with his partners family and the move is a sensible one for them job wise and for other reasons.
Not sure how I'll cope but I hope they'll be happy there, its the right move for them.

It's very hard. Someone once said its like losing a limb when they move to other side of the world and it's very hard

I would love my granddaughters to be 2 hours away but mine are sadly the other side of the world and during covid we didn't see them for 4 years. So be thankful that 2 hours is minimal to 25hours away. Just see them regularly and even an overnight stay or perhaps move near them
Will always be hard

My son and his wife left South Africa on Friday to live in Melbourne with our two grandsons. My husband and I were fully supportive of their decision . As I type this however, the tears won't stop. The heartache is so real, it's crazy. I do find some comfort having had Facetime with them and seeing them in good spirits, but I cannot believe that the usually emotionally strong is so vulnerable. I went out to feed the plants, and I could hear the mischievous laughter of my 7 year old all around me as he'd spray me with delight during garden time. I hug the pillows on which they last slept and can't stop the deluge of tears. I plan to seek counselling as I feel as if i am grieving too much. Maybe it is too soon. Fortunately I do have a spiritual community and am trying to look at this as part of my journey. I was blessed to play a role in their lives and they will always be part of my soul family. I also see it as the Divine teaching me lessons in non-attachment. Why does it have to be this hard, though?

We did that Primrose now and again when my children were small.

Picnics in a beautiful parkland half way in good weather or lunch or afternoon tea after a run around in a playground if the weather was bad.

Book up a Saturday or Sunday in the next few weeks if they can do it.

Why don’t you meet up half way for a while?

You are so right. The initial shock sent me into a tailspin. In no way have we made them feel guilty and I am lucky they are within driving distance. I’m just a little heartbroken right now but it’ll have to be okay. Thank you-I appreciate the advice.

My grandchildren moved 4 hours away 18 months ago. We had looked after them one day a week up until then. It was very very hard but eventually one gets used to the changed circumstances. We dont meet up that often now for various reasons but I do feel that the time when we had regular contact has formed a bond that will withstand the passing of time and growing up 💐

Gmac I can imagine how you feel at the moment but 2 hours is just down the road and you will still be able to see plenty of your grandkids, it just takes adjustment
You aren’t going to be saying goodbye to them they are still very close and you can still have plenty of contact with them (daily if you want with phone calls, videos etc) and you can still go to special events can’t you ? And they can come to you

At the moment you are in shock and not thinking logically, life will go on for them and you and there is absolutely no need to imagine your relationship will not continue exactly as it is just slightly different to how you want and expected

You can deal with this in two way you can think it’s the end of the world and go into a depression about it or you can see it for what it is an adjustment and you can think of inventive ways to keep the relationship alive and well

I can’t impress how lucky you have been to have the wonderful close start in their lives, many of us on here have our grandkids moved to the other side of the world and we have to adjust to a huge distance I would have loved to have had my grandkids two hours away
Yu will be fine if you want to be but remember if the children see or here your sadness they will feel guilty

I am going through similar circumstances. My daughter and her family moved 6 hours away and it is difficult. I dont want them to feel bad or guilty so keep it all to myself. We see them about once every two months. It’s not the same at all and I could be helping them so much, but that’s the way it is. I try to keep busy with friends and hobbies and groups and make time to face time them or send treats to the kids. It’s awesome when we can all get together and i treasure those times and try to stay close.

Thank you for your kind words and suggestions. I needed that. And you’re right, I do tend dwell on the worst. Life will go on-it’ll just be different.

sorry about all my typos must proofread

You will adjust once they have shifted , we tend to always let our brain pick the worst of situations and the dwell on them .
Don't let the distance deprive you or their growing up . Be proactive , make a point of going to their school / game functions , if takes a bit more effort but doable. Invite them to stay for a weekend/holidays once in awhile . Send them little things in mail , everyone loves recieving things in mail . Take photos of what you doing and encourage them and their parents to send herps of photos of what's happening in their day to day . Do some video baking times if they into baking or whatever so they interact with you doing same activity. You can still be part of their lives.
Saying goodbye is heartbreaking , I know havd been therebut it can be OK with a bit of love and effort .

I’m just not sure how to lock away all this emotion and sure don’t know how I will tell them goodbye. Thanks for understanding.

Gmachicken - I’m not going to be of much help, because I actually have a lump in my throat. I am putting myself in your place. Someone stronger will come along and say the right things that will help you.