Son and family have moved

Our DS and GD have just spent a few days with us over half term. They live about 5 hours away.

It would be nice to be nearer and to see them more often, but we would do different things with them which actually might not be better. As it was we had a lovely time spending each day doing things together, visiting places, making things, reading bedtime stories.

If you are able to visit your family, or have them visit you, in a similar way you may find there's a lot of pleasure to be had. It's certainly different, but not all bad.

I suppose its the drastic change to a happy routine that is really what has hit me. As they grow up they wold be getting involved in others things anyway, but the weekly meet ups meant that we had a particularly special time. We wont be moving nearer, for various reasons so just have to get used to things being different. And stop being pathetically weepy!

Of course you feel sad, it's such a wrench. I feel sad for you. Hopefully, before too long you will be able to visit your family. When I was 2.5 hour's away from my family, visits were so exciting, both for me and for the family, especially the grandchildren. It was lovely staying with them for several days at a time sharing everyday life. Ten years ago I moved to be closer to them. Now I am only 17 miles away. This raw pain will ease given time. They are well and happy. In the end that means every thing. Enjoy your phone calls /messages, letters and parcels. And eventually a first visit. Thinking of you warmly.

It's early days but must feel strange and sad. Was it quite sudden?
You will have to find a new routine to fill your days and plan to visit the family as soon as you can.. Any change is hard at first. I hope it works out well.

to you. I know how difficult it is to be a distance granny. Facetime/zoom will be very helpful, maybe you can arrange a set time for a visit so you can keep up to date with their happenings.

Thankyou both. I know it will dissipate, I know they not that far away...Common sense tells me all those things and more ...I just wish I could stop being sad and weepy and get on with things! I think its also impacted by lockdown lethargy and all that too! It does feel bereft as the weekly care was such a happy routine but I know that as they were growing it was going to change anyway. Ah well, there it is, have to get over myself eventually!

I find we actually spend more time with family who live 150 miles away than the family who live a ten minute walk away. We see the local ones more frequently but the distant ones we see every 6 weeks or so for several days at a time. You do eventually get used to it but it is tough to start with particularly with the lockdowns.

It will get much easier it’s just an adjustment Hard I know, I really do, but they have obviously made the move for the better and are happy and well and that’s all that counts We only have limited time with grandkids and yours aren’t that far away and it’s ok and natural to feel sad but that will dissipate as time goes by It won’t always feel as raw

I guess you all talked about it before the move and the changes that you all will have to get used to? The reality turns out different for lots of reasons. You must be bereft. Is there any way that you can move nearer? It depends I guess if you have other things to prevent you from doing so. What may be the right move for them may not be the same for you.
You will get used to it I’m sure, and the time you do spend together will be even more special. Take care xx