How do you maintain a relationship with your toddler GC about to emigrate?

All my sympathies fatfairy. We looked after my DGD absolutely loads then DS got transferred to Germany and suddenly, this little girl aged just 3, who had been the light of our lives, was gone. We went to Germany several times and on the first visit, I rang their doorbell and heard little feet belting down the hall and her voice shouting "It's my Granny!". I just melted!

They don't forget you but is not the same - you have to work hard to keep the link. DS and co. came back when she was 5 and now live 100 miles away but we can see them more easily. She's 12 now and growing fast into teenager-hood! Not sure they are quite as interested in grandparents at that stage but we still love her to bits and I will always treasure that cry of joy!

Believe it or not you will cope and find a way through this.

My daughter, SiL & my 2 GS's emigrated to Oz 2 years in October. The day we waved them off on the train headed for London was probably the wost day of my life. My GS's were 4 and 5. I'm welling up now just typing this. We have been out to Oz twice and have just booked for next year. We go for about 5 weeks. We skype every 2 weeks but as you say they are not always interested in speaking to Nanny & GD but just to see them is wonderful. I dread to think of days prior to skype how did families cope?! We email 2/3 times a week so we are always kept up to date with the various things the boys are doing and Facebook is also a great place for them to put up photos. My D is also very good and sends family & friends a monthly 'news bulletin' with photos of all their wonderful exploits in that month. They are having such a wonderful life out there, the boys truly think of themselves as Ozzie's and I am so glad they made this decision although I don't think I'll ever get over my loss (I know that is selfish but there we are). My main concern is that there will come a time when we can't make the trip - health, financial, etc. I am thinking about emigrating myself but I need to do some serious research (and convince hubby!!) I also have a son here so I would need him to emigrate as well as I couldn't leave him here (he is 32 yrs but I still couldn't abandon him)!! We are only a small family so don't really have many relatives and my elderly mom has recently passed away. Anyway fatfairy - it is hard, very hard and doesn't get any easier as they seem to be growing up so quickly but you need to be happy for them, stay positive and wish them well. I am sure they will have a good life out there and for that alone you should be glad. Please gransnetters never ever complain about your GC.

Oh fatfairy how brave you are. If I was in your shoes I'd be crying buckets and buckets. Here was me just a post ago complaining that my local G.C wear me out. I'm embarrassed. Some of my grandchildren live hundreds of miles away but not as far as Australia. One of them was with me night and day for three or four days and nights a week from birth until the age of 6. At first I used to weep uncontrollably after I'd spoken to him on the telephone. I comforted myself with the thought that they are living a good family life. I know there are gransnetters on here who are in the position you will soon be in. I'm sure you will find lots of comfort and support from them.

I would be devastated.

You can keep in touch by Skype, of course, but as your grandchild gets older I think a letter containing photos or a picture to colour in might be very welcome. Everyone Skypes, sends e-mails or posts on Facebook these days. A letter with air mail stickers and addressed to only you is now quite unusual and much more exciting. A youngish child might also enjoy putting a picture they've drawn into an envelope, taking it to the post office, putting on the stamps and air mail stickers and posting it to you.

Many thanks for this. It all came as a shock - within the last couple of months, really quite a spur of the moment thing, which also worries me ...

I can only second what crow has said. Be happy in their happiness.

No fatfairy she won't, I can assure you of that, well I can from my personal experience.
I have 9 Grandchildren in various parts of the world, and they all know me and my DH and know us well.
Even those born abroad.
Okay we miss events that we would love to be part of, but the parents happiness and well being overflows into their children and that is the main thing for me and my DH.
It is very hard, there is no denying that, but modern technology makes it a whole lot easier to keep in touch.
Be happy for them. Australia is a wonderful country with so many opportunities for young families. I wish them well.