Being a long distance granny

And you are a good mum and MiL as well. I hope they appreciate you.

You've made me cry now, but thanks everyone for caring. I do feel better.

rockgran

Good to have you on board, rocky

rocky Just been thinking it must be especially tough to wave goodbye to your son and family when you have had so much contact with them all over the years. Your spirit and good sense in coping with their adventure is admirable.

Never having had my grandchildren around in the same country, I feel I have a different sense of missing them in my day to day life, if that makes sense, so only have a little measure of what your situation must be like.

Wishing them happiness - and you, too.

Thanks, ffinnochio. I do wonder if it would be easier not to have been so close but we feel privileged to have been included for so long. The little one would have been starting Nursery soon so we probably wouldn't have seen so much of them after Christmas anyway. I rather expected them to move in the near future but not quite so far away! They say they will return to this country but I'm bracing myself for the fact that they might well decide to move somewhere else overseas. If they do come home that will be a bonus. All your comments have really helped and I have felt a lot better today. Thankyou all.

Wonderful to read these posts and to realize I am not the only one who is missing a grandchild! I was very lucky to be able to be present at the birth of our precious granddaughter, and I have been able to spend several weeks with her over the past couple of years. We are also very grateful for Skype as it means we talk to each other most days. We are now looking forward to spending her third birthday with her, although I am already dreading having to say goodbye to her again when we have to go home! She lives in the USA and we are in Malta, so it is quite a journey. I do feel quite sad that I can't be a more 'hands on' grandparent, particularly as my own dear mum was such a huge part of our four children's lives, as was her mum in ours.

I am new to Gransnet and have just found this thread. We also have our son, his wife and our 6year old grandson in Australia. They have been there just over a year and of course we miss them terribly. We were lucky enough to be able to visit them earlier this year but I honestly don't know when, if ever, we will be able to go again. The older we get we just can't face such a long journey again. However, we FaceTime each other every weekend, which is a great way to be able to keep in touch. I am happy that they are living a wonderful life, with good jobs and a beautiful house and I never let them know about all the tears I have shed since they have gone. We are getting onwith our lives too and are so lucky that our daughter and our other two lovely grandchildren live nearby. It is very hard but it does help to hear of other families in the same situation and how we all cope.

Hi there bellasnan and natsan there are indeed many of us in the same boat.

I wrote on here a couple of weeks ago to say my son and family were off to the Falklands for four years. They fly this week and we have just had our last visit from them and said goodbye for a year at least when we hope to go and see them. Thanks to all the support from Gransnet (and a glass of wine) I am coping quite well so far. Luckily we are so exhausted from the last few days arrangements I shall probably sleep like a log. Cheers.

You will be surprised how quickly the year goes if you keep yourself busy and how interesting it will be to go to the Falklands Have another glass of

Thanks, Gorki.

I live in California, having moved here with 2 children many years ago. The tables turned somewhat when my son and his wife moved to Cape Town where they have had 3 girls. It's a good life for them, good schools etc, but SO far away. I do my best to keep in touch, monthly parcels, cards, Skype etc. I try to visit at least once a year, but, as the saying goes, visitors, like fish go off after 3 days,so staying for a month or so is really too much for all concerned. I used to feel the same when my in laws visited us..
We were really fortunate this summer when they came and spent a month with us. Upon leaving, the oldest granddaughter said, 'it should be against the law for families to live on different continents'. Out of the mouth of babes!

I'm with your granddaughter on that one. We have our new granddaughter coming to meet us for the first time at Christmas and I can't wait to give her that cuddle. Trying to put the thought that they will go back to Australia on 2nd January out of my head. I am almost afraid to get to know her as I know it will be a very empty house when they leave.

Further to my posts about my son going to the Falklands - I have just heard that they have arrived. They were delayed for some time and I have been going mad waiting for news. My relief at their safe arrival outweighs my missing them at the moment. No doubt that will kick in later but right now I am very happy!

Must be a very long journey rockgran - no international airports there.
hespian make sure you don't run yourself ragged trying to do a perfect christmas - the important thing is to enjoy seeing them and let them enjoy your company.

Great news, rockgran. Hope the good feeling lasts ...... and lasts.

Thanks finocchio, I'm still feeling positive. Thanks to Facebook we have already seen pictures of their new home in the Falklands and the children looking very excited and happy. Say what you will about Facebook it has really been a lifeline while they sort out other communications - and it is free!

Good to hear your family have arrived safely, rock, along with happy pictures!
Quite agree about FB. I had lovely funny pics. of my grandchildren all dressed up for Halloween - as American as apple-pie. Not my thing - but how happy the children looked!

Skype is great when they can't speak to you on the phone and it helps them to remember you.Now our granddaughter is 6 we have phone calls which are great, though she does whisper when she wants to tell me a secret! Sometimes I have the urge to see her but a call helps. Visits are so valuable and avoid those lucky enough to see their grandchildren every week when you are feeling a long way away. BUT most of all enjoy any contact you have.

Thanks, CrazyGrannieB, we are hoping to use facetime which is similar to skype but I'm waiting till they feel ready as I don't want to unsettle the children. No doubt we'll settle into a routine eventually. (Still feeling a bit tearful most days, though.)

My daughter and her husband emigrated last week to Australia. No grandchildren yet. Its been a tough week with lots of tears. Husband and I are trying to keep busy with lots of projects and plans for future visits. We plan to skype and hope that will help with the loss. It has been very comforting reading all the messages and I know time will help.

My sympathies, pengran. Actually I've had a bad few hours today - a bit like a panic attack. I know it's a kind of grief but it takes me by surprise sometimes and I just start crying. Goodness knows how people used to manage when their loved ones left on sailing ships bound for the new world. I shall have to pull myself together.

Further to yesterday's post when I was feeling really down - today I have felt quite good and positive again. I guess it takes time.

I've had a bad day today too. I found some things my daughter left behind. Silly things like a lost glove. It set me off again. I feel a bit better now, but the emotions are raw under the surface.