Bittersweet moments

My son went to NZ to set up life there with his ‘to be ‘ wife when he was in his mid twenties My first grandchild was born there and then my fourth I didn’t have the money to visit too much although I have been a few times and they here. I have five other grandchildren Three in Ireland one who spent the last three years in Australia (but is coming home next month and guess who she’s visiting first) Then two who started out in Europe but ended up growing up back near me, but now they are working in Denmark and Northern England

Life is ever moving, ever changing and we have to adapt

Of course I ve cried many tears over time ( mostly in the shower) but you wipe them away and get on with it

Life is very hard, My friend has children nearby but they chose to have little to do with her She was a lovely Mum

One of my GD's went travelling for a year, arrived in Australia and that's where she has stayed.
She has work, her own apartment and has applied for citizenship and is as happy as a sand boy so she won't be coming back to the UK.
I have a fear of flying so won't be able to go there to see her.
I have to make do with Facetime, texts and phone calls. In time she will likely meet someone and have a family, my GGC which I won't be a part of.
The thing is, this is her life. It's what she has chosen for herself. Gone are the days when families lived within easy reach. Many are facing the same dilemma of distance between loved ones.
The bottom line is you can't have the everyday contact with your Canadian based family and if you moved there then you wouldn't have the everyday contact with your UK based family.
Keep in touch as much as possible with visits, screen time and messages. That's all you can do, really.

Sarnia fear of flying can be overcome. Surely the lure of seeing your DGD would be a major inducement? This is something you can do.

My son went abroad for work 15 yrs ago I talked him into going as he was very dubious that it was for him little did I know he would meet the love of his life have 2 children and make a wonderful new life in the sunshine. I will never be close to his two children as I am with the U.K. but I am so happy he has a great life but I miss him every day but as everyone says we have to be proud and happy that the children who we gave wings to are now flying high.

I remember my Mum remarking , when I was pregnant with my fourth, that we would never come ‘home’ now. It was sad when we said goodbye and even worse when they visited us over here and we took them to the airport. We used to ring and talk to each other ( cost heaps,then) all the time. In a funny way I got on with her a lot better and we would pour our hearts out to each other. When Mum died Dad came out to live near us in Australia and spent the last 5 years of his life enjoying our children and his great grandchildren. These days it would have been too hard for him to come here to live because of all the red tape.

Make use of technology. A screen on at each end allows you to be part of their day without the intense one to one conversations. You can read to them and demonstrate knitting or whatever. Even just have it on in the background while you do your normal activities.

Can I just say even if you have children living near you they still want to live their lives. Mine are up and doing their own thing hardly see grandchildren at all as their at uni and college. I retired last year and felt as though it was time. However I’ve gone back just doing a few hours to counteract the emptiness. I love my family but their busy lives just leaves me feeling a bit abandoned. I hope you find solace in being with your hubby and keep doing what your doing.

Harris27 your life sounds like mine. Except I’ve been estranged from my daughter for a long time. She lives 2 miles away. I wish she had emigrated as we might have got on better. My eldest son lives 20 miles away and they are all so busy. Youngest son lives 100 miles away and we speak weekly. I’ve missed out on grandkids growing up etc. they are all in their late teens now. I’m lonely even with my DH.
Use modern technology. I wish you and your family well.