Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Upset when Grandson leaves

(11 Posts)
ApplePie2914 Mon 16-Oct-17 16:52:57

My daughter, son in law and 2 week old son live 3 hours away from me. I was there when he was born and have spent quite a lot of time at theirs since the birth. But every time I leave to go home, not knowing when I’ll see them again, I feel an ache in my heart that’s so intense. Is this normal? He is my first grandchild.

tanith Mon 16-Oct-17 17:02:46

It's quite normal ApplePie I felt exactly the same when I visit my grandson who lives abroad I would weep walking onto the plane. He's 4 now and I haven't seen him for over a year, it hurts a lot but I'm sure others feel the same as we do in similar circumstances.

PamelaJ1 Mon 16-Oct-17 17:07:10

Absolutely and I see mine at least once a week!

Coolgran65 Mon 16-Oct-17 17:24:59

Absolutely, we have 6 dgc. 10, 7, 4, 3, 1, and 6 months.
10, 7, and 6 months are local.
3 and 1 are 8 hours distant by car and boat ferry.
4 - is 24 hours distant by 2 flights.

We see the two who are 8 hours distant about twice a year.

It's two years since we've physically seen the 4 year old who is 24 hours distant. We Skype approx every 4 weeks and now at 4 years dgc is big enough to say after about 15 minutes, ""I'm bored now, think I'll go do something else."" smile

Such is life.

BBbevan Mon 16-Oct-17 18:33:53

Quite normal Applepie I have 2 DGDs who live about 5 hours from us. With school and clubs and busy weekends, we get to see them 4or5 times a year. They are coming for Christmas this year and I can't wait. When they go home I shall be so, so sad

Teetime Mon 16-Oct-17 18:58:56

Oh yes its so normal but you do learn to manage it.

Grannyknot Mon 16-Oct-17 19:15:10

Help! I must be abnormal. I love my little grandson but I don't get an "ache in my heart" when I have to say goodbye.

What does happen, is I start to miss him and want to see him again after about a week or so. But then I get over it.

I see him about once a fortnight and we have a lot of fun. I can also see when he loses interest in me after about 15 minutes, no matter how pleased he is to see me at first with a delighted "Granny's here!" if it's a surprise visit.

pollyperkins Mon 16-Oct-17 19:53:28

I love it when they are very young and rush to the door excitedly when they see you. It does wear off as they get older, unfortunately. And yes, I miss them a lot after we part especially when Ive spent some time with them eg a few days. But I get over it although I like to see photos and get messages from them,

lemongrove Mon 16-Oct-17 22:09:52

Yes, very normal, and in fact we moved house to be near DGS as we couldn’t bear to be so far away.So glad that we did!

Breda Tue 17-Oct-17 10:30:43

Hi there Applepie 2914 - I just wanted to say that your feelings and that horrid bottomless pit sensation is exactly what I feel when my grandchildren leave or I leave them. I have felt it for the last 18+ years! I was at the birth of my eldest grandchild and no one had prepared me for the impact that would have on me! I always expected to love them but wow, that immediate feeling really rocked me. I now have six of them and feel the same about them all.

Nelliemoser Tue 17-Oct-17 23:05:13

My DGS1 has just started school. We live about two hours away and see him and his little brother about every two weeks, but now DGS1 is at school we have a lot less time with him and I miss him.