Being a long distance granny

I haven't yet (nor think that I want to) read the same book/have a scent or song that my grandchildren have so that there is some kind of imprinting on them. At aged 7, 5 and 1, they (the 5 & 7 year olds ) are far too busy and active fetching and carrying and showing and telling and chatting. I learn a lot about them that way The 1 year old potters around and takes no notice at all. If coerced by her parents, she will wave a bye-bye. All perfectly normal.
The interaction I have with them all is very in the moment. I'm happy with that.
They know who I am (not sure about the one year old yet and I have lots of fun getting to know them as they grow.

Love the idea of same toys SaracensGirl am going to knit/sew something I think. My newest Grandbaby is in Holland, and my son paid for my first visit in April when he was two days old which was lovely, & I do get a tad jealous when I see other people holding him etc. But, am off there at the end of June and looking forward for a few days of smiles now he will be 10 weeks! I did demand daily update photos so I get sent WhatsApp photos on my iphone, which is lovely.
My Son pointed out that it is almost as quick to get to them in Edam as it is to get to my Daughter's in Tooting from where we live, but I can see I will have to get more work to pay for regular trips.

Just found this thread and enjoyed reading some of your experiences and ideas. My DD and her partner sold their house and bought a motorhome and with my gorgeous Grandsons (5 and 7 when they left) took off on a year's tour of Europe and Morocco.
I tried to hold back the tears as they drove away in January, telling myself it's not really that far - and we had planned to go out and meet them in Spain in March or April. Deep down though I doubted that they'd ever come back and settle to life as it was here - and I think that's likely to prove true.
They are having amazing experiences, drove quickly through a very cold France, through Spain and found the sun in Morocco. It's easier and harder than I expected, the first few weeks I had constant a gnawing sensation in the pit of my stomache and felt anxious if we went a few days without a message or FB post. That couldn't, and hasn't, lasted and I have sort of got used to it and really look forward to messages, photos, the odd phone call and her blog.
We did met up with them in Spain and had the joy of seeing the Alhambra Palace with them at the end of March. We'll try and make it to wherever they are in September. As they have no permanent address sending anything isn't possible and of course they are very short of space. I also think that if they can possibly afford it they'll settle on a finca in Spain and that's where they'll stay. I know it's not the US or even further Australia but it's too far for them to be involved in family celebration etc, etc and I feel sad that they and my 2 younger grandchildren will never be as close as might have been. But as some of you have said, they are happy, living the kind of life they choose and I love them all dearly.
If you're interested she writes about their experiences at www.themuckyroot.com with some stunning photos

Update:
Re: presents, it's easy to send stuff to the USA. Set up your account on Amazon.com and have it mailed direct to you family. You can indicate that it is a gift, so that the invoice is not enclosed. When you gc s are a bit older you can ask them what they would like. I knit for mine, and now he chooses the colour and style!!
Skype can be tricky at times due to time differences. Go and visit if you can, then you will get to know their friends, locality, school etc which will give you things to chat about. Young children don't always want to talk, so don't make a big thing of it when they don't! Maybe they can go and make some Lego or draw or paint and bring it to show you.
It's great when my DIL sends videos of school concerts, swimming etc.
At the end of the day it's not easy, but our sons and daughters have to make their own lives.....and we must smile and get on with it !!!

PS
When my gc was small, I had a basket of farm animals, which he used to ask for. We 'played' with them, counting, naming etc.

There are days, such as this, that being a long distance grandparent just plain stinks! Rational thinking has flown out the window. Nothing has happened, all are well and happy. It's just such a long time since I've seen them all and am feeling thoroughly pissed-off.

Just needed to get that out of my system.

So it's dig deep and back to the ah well's and ho-hum's and be thankful attitude.

Time for a reset button.

As you were.

Ffin As you know I'm seeing a reasonable amount of my American DGCs this year and I am seeing them later this week but I'm already thinking that when we go home in 10 days time it might be nearly another year before I see them and DS and DiL again.
I think things like 4th July emphasise the way their lives are different, maybe.
But what we can't change we have to gracefully accept, don't we.
for you and everyone missing their families today.

My grandkids live in California, now aged one and three and a half. They were born there, so had to plan first trip for about three weeks after due date. Hard not to be there within a day or two of the birth tho'. Now Skype once a week which has meant we are probably more in touch than if they lived in the UK. Try and see them two or three times a year, and because it is for at least a week at a time, we have a greater awareness of every facet of their lives during that period. I read stories to them using Skype, which is lovely. In the early days it was hard to hold their attention, but now the oldest is three, he is much chattier and busy showing us things. Hardest bit was when he recently tried to hug the iPad!
I try not to think about what we are missing and focus instead on the positives. The other grandparents are very involved, and lovely people, but I do feel a bit jealous of them.

Understand how you feel. We are very blessed to be able to visit our grandson (and son of course) several times a year and I try not to get too sad about the distance but wish we could just pop in sometimes! Where do you live in the UK and where in Cal are your grandchildren? Mine is in LA and I live in Gerrards Cross.

My daughter, husband and two grandchildren 5 and 7 have lived in Sydney now for 12,years, it has been heartbreaking for me especially, but the only consolation was that they were happy and healthy. My daughter has contacted us to say her husband is leaving her and they only rent their home, she doesn't work at the moment, but living on her own with young children is going to be very difficult. We are in our 70s and now in poor health and I'm desperate as how to advise her as we have no idea of family law or financial support she could get in Australia. Is there anyone out there that has been in our position with any knowledge or advice that may help us. Many thanks.