Valid questions such as: “How is it, or, how was it being a distance grandchild?” are among those raised by Helen Ellis in her book about being grandparents separated from grandchildren often living across the world.
Being a Distance Grandchild explores what it means to grow up far from grandparents and extended family, giving voice to those who live between homes, cultures and time zones.
A New Zealand researcher, writer, anthropologist and veteran of ‘distance grandparenting’, Ms Ellis understands that when generations of a family are spread across countries and continents, it changes everything – relationships, roles, identity and connection.
Crafted with insight, warmth and purpose, her book is part of a series dedicated to building empathy across the generations of globally scattered families. It helps grandparents, parents and grandchildren understand each other’s realities – sometimes obvious, often subtle and frequently unspoken.
She says behind every international move is a network of family ties which need care and understanding. With that in mind, educators, counsellors, HR professionals, military personnel, NGOs, diplomatic staff, missionary organisations, government agencies, and relocation experts – anyone working in global mobility – will find a valuable perspective in these pages.
Being a Distance Grandchild – A Book for ALL Generations is the last of three in her insightful Distance Families book series. To learn more visit www.DistanceFamilies.com.
- BEING A DISTANCE GRANDCHILD – A BOOK FOR ALL GENERATIONS
By Helen Ellis, M.A
Distance Families Publishing,
Distributed by Nationwide Books
RRP NZ$45.00
AUTHOR LIVES HER TOPIC
Based in New Zealand, Helen Ellis, M.A. is a researcher, writer and, anthropologist. She is also a seasoned distance grandparent. With three of her four children, and six of her seven grandchildren (aged 2 to 26), living between 16 and 30 flight hours away in the United States, England, and Scotland, she lives the life she writes about.
Helen is also the founder of DistanceFamilies.com, a platform dedicated to supporting and understanding the unique dynamics of families spread across the globe. She passionately believes that all members of ‘distance families’ – grandparents, adult children, and grandchildren – deserve to be heard and understood.
Through independent research and advocacy, Helen has taken on the mission of bridging the emotional and cultural gaps created by geography.
She has won numerous awards for her work and encourages readers from all generations to explore her three-book series to gain a richer, more compassionate understanding of others’ experiences.
