Missing my baby granddaughter feeling hopeless

Hi granAnnie, I am the other way round; I am in England and my daughter (only child) and two grandbabies are well up in the North of Scotland. I relate! We FaceTime a lot which helps (I always leave it to my daughter to decide when to call as I don’t want to be a nuisance). I don’t know if anyone on here has suggested this, but a friend says she films herself on her phone reading a story for her little granddaughter, and sends it to her daughter on What’s App. Her granddaughter watches it over and over, and loves it. Might help the bond a bit...big hug.

@granAnnie I completely relate to your post and understand your sadness at not being able to have a "normal" and usual relationship with your new and only grandbaby. I'm in the US and am single and my son and DIL and GD live 12 hours away by car, so when I visit I stay at their house. I was last there in March and currently don't have any plans to visit because of Covid. They send short videos and we speak every other week or so. She is a new person every time I see a video and I'm just sad to not be a physical part of her life right now. I know this won't be forever, but I feel the same way and I understand your ache to just hold your baby GD. Hope it helps to know you're not alone in that feeling. Hang in there! We have to focus on the ways we are able to be part of their lives until we can get a hug again!

I happen to be in the happy position of Alert Level 2 in New Zealand whereby we are allowed to share time with family members, which, of course, includes grandchildren.

However, for some years I lived on the opposite side of the world from my daughter and grandchildren. There were years when I didn't see babies, toddlers and older kids. There are ways to keep in contact, although less so then, and it's good to do so. I visited as often as I could but finances and caring for an elderly mother imposed limitations.

I didn't have a chance to cuddle my grandchildren during lockdown but did see them from a distance. The Youngest one (and I) found that especially hard, but it it what it is.

As a result of the double standards we have been seeing where those who make the rules feel they are above having to comply with them I would be willing to write my own rules in your situation OP as long as both households could remain safe.

It is very difficult for all of us and no, it is not easier for those of us who have experienced this because we have family overseas.

However, feeling hopeless is not a good place to be in. We have to have hope.

I read MawB's posts as trying to be more positive rather than matter of fact. We have to hope that the future will be better, most of us will be reunited.

Unless we lose someone from COVID19, as so many have, then we must try not to complain.
There are families out there who will not have a happy reunion.

Esspee yes, I think that is something we can complain about!

At least some of you can face time your grandchildren or speak to them. My so dplit from his partner because of her cheating on him. Now the evil witch enabled by her father had got it into the girl's head it us unsafe not onlt to go to her dad's house but even go for a walk with him. We all kbow what the PM has said but they have manipulated her into believing the PM said the complete opposite. She does speak to daddy but someone always in the background and she can only speak for 5 mins and she is not allowed to phone me. I can't bear it much longer but i won't tske up sny of those precious minutes dady has with his daughter

I think the hardest part of this is the social distancing, even if you are nearby or are able in the next few days to be around them physically but unable to have a hug, or kiss your grandchild is simply very painful.
Lots of Grandparents with very young Grandchildren (toddlers) may choose not to meet up because it does cause so much distress for children who are just too young to understand. We used to have our Grandson (2yrs) every other weekend but have only seen him either on FaceTime or when he was in the car outside our house once since lockdown - (I’m in “shielding” group),he wanted a kiss when they were leaving, I was heartbroken!? The worse thing is he’s moving this week 4 hours away!???

Good Morning. I want to thank all of you. I read all your stories and, yes (after a few days of reflection), read and listened to everyone's perspective. I have so much empathy for everyone facing similar, and much worse circumstances. I'm extraordinarily grateful for the forum affording me an opportunity to express my feelings at the time, and to have facilitated a feeling of connection in my moment of feeling quite alone. Thank you all again. The wee one is now almost cruising, and playing with the toys and books I have sent her. Much love and gratitude to you all xxx

Same to you granAnnie, take care and keep well, and hopefully we will all be able to give our gorgeous children and grandchildren the biggest hug in the not too distant future?☺️xx