Being separated from grandchildren during these difficult times

[Gemini]

It has been such a difficult time for families. Most of us have been separated from loved ones for a very long time. Apart from a couple of very short outdoor visits and the time she was in hospital with a broken hip, I haven't been able to see my mum since April. Most of us will have our own story.

So many of us are missing family,and even when we are lucky enough to be able to see them we have to keep our distance when all we want is to hug them.

As grandmothers we all know that one of the hardest things is not being able to see our GC or GGC.
Some of us can see them, because we live close enough for outdoor visits (when they are allowed) or we are doing childcare, enabling our offspring to work.
My friends drove a 5 hour round trip in pouring rain to spend half an hour walking in a park with their DD and GC just before Christmas. Desperate times

I am one of the lucky ones, as I have done childcare weekly for all my GC since babyhood, apart from in Lockdown1, and do so now.

My GD and GS2's other Gran hasn't seen her younger GD for well over and year and heaven knows when they will again. She, along with her parents, lives in Greece. They usually travel to visit them twice yearly, and are missing her and their DD so very much.
It is so hard for grandparents with GC overseas right now.

Let's hope with the vaccine things improve for everyone.

[Daisy]

All you say it true, Gem. It doesn't matter how old the GCs are - it's still terrible if you aren't able to see them. My eldest SIL and her OH haven't seen their teenage GSs for a year. They had planned to travel by taxi on a 400+ mile round trip to see them and their DDs this Christmas, but had to cancel when the rules changed just a few days beforehand. They are in their 80s and no longer drive long distances and were too worried to try and travel by train, but they so wanted to see their families down here. My BIL was close to tears when he was telling me about it. Goodness knows when they will next be able to see any of them. It's so sad.

A local friend's DD and GD live in the Channel Islands, and they haven't seen them since last Christmas. This is their only GC.

I'm sure as you say, we all have similar experiences or know someone who has.

Every day I can't see my DS1 feels like a lost day, but keeping him safe is the most important thing.

We can never get back this lost time, I know, but we have to hope that the vaccine will help us get back to some sort of normal life. xx

[Oma]

We haven't seen our our two youngest GC since 23rd December 2019 , 13 month now .

I haven't seen my only Sister since the first lockdown so almost a year , I miss her dreadfully worst when our Brother died we couldn't even comfort each other ,
Or our dear Niece's and nephew's when they were going through this awful time .
We have yet to meet my G nephew who was born in first lockdown although I see lots of photos and video's ,

We are not alone lots of Grandparents are having the same awful time , Its sad isn't it

[Nanto2girls]

We were lucky,we saw both grandaughters with outdoor visits a few days before Christmas.

[Daisy]

Nanto - I'm so glad you were able to see your girls, and I'm sure they felt the same.

[Avo]

We have seen ours outside at a 2 metre distance in our 1 acre garden. How I’d love a hug though! We did zoom at bath time last night it was lovely to hear all the giggles and see them in their jammies all squeaky clean 💕

[Daisy]

Aww, Avo, what a lovely zoom session to have. It's surprising how quickly they grow out of that giggling bath time session, never to return. I bet you never thought your lovely large garden would become such a sanctuary for seeing your own GCs. Do they get upset that they can't come and hug you?

[Gemini]

Avo, you must miss the hugs, but seeing them in the garden and bath time Zooms are a lovely way to keep in touch

[Plantaholic]

What would we do without Zoom for keeping in touch with the family. I hope some of the Grandparents can have more contact once they get their vaccine.

[Glammanana]

I miss so much talking with my adult DGSs about what they are up to work wise and girlfriends etc and my eldest DGD all about her new course at college doing her beauty/hairdressing and all things girly related I can keep intouch via messenger on FB so all is not lost.
What upset me most was not being at GGDs first day at school and meeting her after her first day at the school gates which I had done for all the others and actually hearing GGSs first proper words and putting a little sentence together but we will catch up their mummy sends me lots of updates and pic's.

[Gemini]

It's so hard missing all those things isn't it Glamma?
GS2's 4th birthday was during the first lockdown when we couldn't even see them in the garden or through the window. We had a family Zoom party with him, but it was not the same.

[Daisy]

Oh, Glamma, what a lot of milestones you're missing. The 'firsts' happen so quickly when they are very young - in fact sometimes they seem to change day by day. Apart from growing like weeds my 16 and 17 year olds aren't changing so quickly - apart from hairstyles and colours!

[Oma]

Same here Daisy , GS1's features are turning into a mans not a little boy anymore , everytime i see him he looks more and more a adult

[Plantaholic]

Has his voice dropped yet Oma?

[Gemini]

Plant, I have moved the beautiful young lady's photo to a new thread

https://gransrus.com/forum/being-a-grandmother-aa/announcing-a-new-grandchild-on-the-way/171567-a-another-beautiful-ggc-for-plant