Grandchildren abroad

🌺BlueBell

I have two in NZ I have decided that I m getting too old for that long journey so I haven’t been for a few years it’s impossible to be as close to them as to the ones living here, I have three others in Europe but they can visit me or I them now and then so I have a good relationship with them we phone and visit occasionally, and when they were young, school age they would come to me for a summer holiday every year and I have two living in my town and although I don’t see so much now they are grown and flown I am very close to them

I have long, long ago accepted that I m only on the edge of the two grandkids lives in NZ They have a Nan and grandad living near by them and I must be far down the list in importance ….when they were young I chose and sent presents, photos, etc and my son sent school reports so I felt a link but now as adults I dont really know them
I accept it I hope you can learn to too tanith

Thanks for your kind comments and yes it is tough and it’s not just you Calendargirl. The texting idea is a good one I’ll find out if he has a mobile now and if it would be ok with him if I text now and then.
It’s hard knowing what gift to send as I know them so little and I hate just putting money in their savings for Christmas and birthdays but it seems the only way.

It's tough isn't it, Tanith? Mine are an accessible plane journey away, but I hate the travelling. I stay a little time, and try to incorporate watching their swimming lessons, and taking a trip to an ice cream parlour and toy shop.
We do facetime and I send regular small parcels to let them know that I'm thinking about them, but we all understand that I won't be there to see their Christmas play, or school concert , as I can be for my local grandchildren.

I can relate Tanith.

We visited every year (Oz) when the GC were small, but Covid came up, the GC were by then older, and we seem to have got out the habit.

Now all three virtually ‘grown up’, and don’t feel I really know them at all, if I’m being honest.

I FaceTime DD weekly, but never see the GC. And TBH, I don’t feel as close to DD as I did years ago…I suppose no longer our little girl, but a middle aged woman, with a different lifestyle thousands of miles away, and we as ageing parents who are rather out of touch with them somehow.

Sometimes feel it’s just me who feels like this?

My GD is in this country but too far away to see regularly. Now that she's old enough to have a mobile I send her text messages. Her replies are usually very short, but at least it's contact. Often I just wish her well for the new school term, some event, or hope she enjoys her holiday. It's a fairly non-intrusive way of keeping in touch.

Maybe email them Tanith? It’s the modern version of a letter I suppose. Tell them about your life and ask questions about theirs?