Long-distance grannies: keeping in touch

Very pleased for you bluegran. And your story will give hope to some others on this forum I think. It is sad for the grandchildren as well as the grans when they are kept apart. What would I have done without my two?

Yes Baggy, he's sweetie. Well deserved holiday in Ireland coming up next week, going back to his birth place where he had happy childhood holidays. By the sea!

Bluegran I am happy for you that things have turned out. It must have been a sad time for you. It does show that things never stay the same!

That is so good Bluegran.

My grandchildren left for a new life in Australia 2 weeks ago. I am trying hard to be brave about it all but inside it's killing me. I miss them so much and our lovely close family will never be the same. I have two granchildren here but its the thought of not seeing them all together again that hurts the most. I enjoyed reading your experiences. It's good to know I'm not alone.

Geordiegran - I understand what you're going through, I'm in the same situation and it's really tough. Skype, emails etc do help but it's the physical contact I miss and having them "just up the road" so to speak

Geordiegran have you found a similar thread to this? Under "AIBU - To desperately want them to stay here"

My little family have just gone back to Wellington tonight and I waited in vain for a last phone call from the departure lounge. But I know I mustn't take it personally, my son was with his wife and new baby no doubt trying to negotiate it all and keep his daughter pacified. Even so it hurts so much that they have gone and I may not see them again for over a year now. I don't know why I hang on to these last calls and goodbyes and then make myself think it is because my son is not thinking of me....
Am I being terribly selfish? I think I might be! I am not a negative person at all but my son has brought such joy to my life and doubly so now that he has a baby daughter (and a wife who I also love) and I just can't help feeling so sad and depressed that they have gone AGAIN!!
Sorry other grans to use this forum like a therapy session but there's no one else I can say these things to.

So sorry for you Speldnan - don't take it personally, airports are a horrid place to ring from anyway and he would have been very busy. Better to say a quiet goodbye.
Tomorrow is another day...

thanks yogagran-I feel better today knowing they are on their way home. Also I know he doesn't like goodbyes either... have just upset my daughter by reminding her that most of her older relatives asked her when she and her partner would be getting married now that she is pregnant! I don't actually mind but she gets very angry when I mention it! will start a discussion about it I think!

So easy to upset a daughter! especially pregnant-sometimes we can do no right for doing wrong as my mother said to her stroppy daughter(me)
With the grandchildren we plant things in pots and keep photos and running commentary on flowering ,nibbled by rabbits etc. Also sil shares a google calendar so they know what we are doing and vice versa-but I noticed that the sneaky meanies came to the uK didn't tell us and didn't even phone when in UK-still hurt but making sure i don't mention it

why would they do that!!??? I sometimes wonder if you are better off not having children at all when they hurt you the way only they can!!

I can't believe that your family came to the UK and didn't tell you Stansgran. I would have been really hurt too. I think I would have to let them know that I knew (if that makes sense!) They won't understand how much they hurt you until they are older and are in the same situation.
I like your idea of planting things in pots and sharing commentaries on the growth, hope you don't mind if I copy your idea.

Just done a 3 way video skype chat with my grandchildren in Australia and my pregnant daughter in Cardiff. The world is shrinking and even though I miss the cuddles it is second best and will keep me going all day!

Gosh - 3 way Skype call - that's set me a challenge....