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Something positive for long-distance (ie living abroad) grandparents

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NannyB2604 Thu 18-Feb-21 18:56:38

Hi everyone. I've posted before about the difficulties of only DS, DiL and only DGD living abroad in a non-English speaking country. DGD is now coming up for 7 and things are so much better (this despite not having seen them in the flesh since Christmas 2019 with no real prospect of seeing them again until Christmas 2021). DH and I are both retired with more time on our hands since lockdown, so we're now doing thrice-weekly English lessons with DGD, making sure said lessons are fun. DS helps us with materials. Now she's older (despite being a bit tired due to the 9 hour time difference) she engages with us quite happily. The classes have the dual purpose of keeping our relationship going and helping her with her English. When I first posted a few years ago, I despaired of this ever happening as she wouldn't or couldn't engage with us online. So please be encouraged - a relationship with your long-distance DGC IS possible, even if English isn't their first language. You just have to be patient. Sending hugs to all in a similar position

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Nansnet Fri 19-Feb-21 03:06:27

A lovely positive post, NannyB2604, for all the 'long-distance' grandparents out there!

I am also in the same position, having my DS, DiL and only GD living in another country. Likewise, we've not been able to see them since December 2019, and no idea when travel restrictions, and quarantine rules, will ease up in our respective countries of residence.

Thank goodness for technology! Our little GD hadn't been walking for long when we last saw her, and she could only say the odd word ... now she's walking, running, holding conversations with us, and has beautiful hair, which she didn't have last time we saw her in the flesh!

We've missed so much of her growing up, and feel sad that we'll never get that time back, but having regular video calls throughout the week has helped greatly, and we've managed to build a relationship with her. She knows who we are, and happily carries us around in the mobile phone to show us her toys, books, jigsaws, etc. And we even get to go in her tent, and on her swing and slide. Life could be worse, so we are thankful for what we have, and hopefully, one day soon, we will all be able to be together again.

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