Gransnet forums

Grandparenting

How far is too far?

(18 Posts)
Foxgloveandroses Sun 17-May-26 17:45:58

Does anyone live 35 to 40 mins drive away from their adult children and small grandchildren. Would you say this is a bit too far or does it feel about right?

Fallingstar Sun 17-May-26 17:58:45

We live 2 hours away from one DD and GC, slightly less away from our other DD and GC, and our son and other GCs are in Australia.
I would say you are extremely lucky if you live just 35/40 mins drive away.

Cossy Sun 17-May-26 18:02:18

Hi just one grandchild, he’s 11, they live in Hertfordshire and it takes over 1.25 hrs on a good day, yes it would be lovely to live closer, but it’s not the ends of the earth.

My elder son lives in Bristol and has no intention of ever moving back to Essex and if he ever starts a family (unlikely) we will be 5 hours away by car.

Our other two daughters are looking to buy their first properties locally, so if they have children (they are both lesbians) we will be close by.

Tbh, I’m just grateful my children live in this country not in Australia or NZ!

keepingquiet Sun 17-May-26 18:08:47

Two GCs a four hour drive away which I don't attempt and only travel by train.

I see them really only in the school holidays and sometimes not even then.

One GC lives much closer- a 30 min drive now on Sundays and I consider that close by. Her dad has just taken her home. I see her every week and it is wonderful.

BlueBelle Sun 17-May-26 18:10:56

One in NZ (30 hours door to door) one in Europe a 3 hour journey to the airport an hour and a half flight and a hour the other side ( plus lots of hanging around) and then one nearby
It is what it is

BlueBelle Sun 17-May-26 18:12:26

In answer to your title question, no where is too far as it’s their decision where they want to live in adult hood

Bumble3 Sun 17-May-26 18:15:47

One grandchild so far, 2 hours away. See him once a month or a bit more.
If the others have kids they are likely to even further away but I can’t do anything about where their careers/ partners are.

crazyH Sun 17-May-26 18:32:18

It’s a real blessing, luck and great comfort to me, that my 3 DC, their families and the extended families, all live within a 15 - 20 minute drive .
However, they have their lives and I have mine. I probably see them on an average once every fortnight.

Magenta8 Sun 17-May-26 18:36:21

I am not sure why you are asking Foxgloveandroses do you want to move closer to them or do you think they should move closer to to you?

JamesandJon33 Sun 17-May-26 18:39:38

We live 5 hours from our Gds. Now they are at university we don ‘t see them often.

SueDonim Sun 17-May-26 18:45:15

Three flights + drives equalling about 18hrs to one set. 10-12hr drive to second set. Seven minute drive to third set. 5/6 hr drive to fourth child, no GC there, though.

twiglet77 Sun 17-May-26 18:48:02

I live 20 minutes from my eldest, two hours from the youngest, and 5000 miles from the middle one!

lixy Sun 17-May-26 19:11:31

Too far for who?

We live 10 mins from one AC, 40 or so from the other and happily do Grandparenting duties for both. Now they are older GS1 and GD1 travel by train to our nearest station to save us the drive on occasions too.

Deedaa Sun 17-May-26 19:21:04

One set live five minutes away by car, but I'm usually picking one of them up from the school train which is more loke fifteen minutes. The other one is either staying with me or with his mother which is about twenty minutes away.

JaneJudge Sun 17-May-26 19:49:58

BlueBelle

One in NZ (30 hours door to door) one in Europe a 3 hour journey to the airport an hour and a half flight and a hour the other side ( plus lots of hanging around) and then one nearby
It is what it is

Yes ❤️

grumppa Sun 17-May-26 20:14:42

Both pairs of DGCs live three minutes' drive away, in opposite directions.

Cabbie21 Sun 17-May-26 20:20:39

Four miles and fourteen miles.

Cabbie21 Sun 17-May-26 20:23:16

Posted too soon.
Delighted to have moved so close, not that I see them that often.
They will move on, as far away as they choose, it’s not for me to say.