It’s not easy for some people to move away from family, to start a new life in a new community. Perhaps the most difficult aspect is being away from the grandchildren. It’s especially hard during the holiday season because, after all, that’s when families are to be together in celebration. Here are some thoughts to help you through the process.

Surely you have heard other grandparents complain about being just around the corner from their grown children and the grand children. “It can be exhausting” say some.  Grandma or grandpa is always right there to help out. In the world in which we live today it is very common for both parents to be working and, well, they need help watching the kids.  You’re no longer working so there you are, always on call. Then there are those who are barred from seeing their grand children for whatever reason. They might as well be a continent away. Finally there are those who move back home to be close to the grand kids only to realize they miss the life they started as retirees. They miss their new friends, the activities, the weather.

Life is not perfect. No matter how hard you try to keep the family together there will be imperfections, disappointments, your feelings may get hurt or you may find love and joy and all the other emotions that can come from family life.  It is rarely one or the other, it is commonly both good and bad. 

Fortunately we live in an electronic world. No matter how far you move you are never more than seconds away. There’s always FaceTime and Skype. What used to be just a voice on the phone now becomes a real person on a screen. They see you and you see them. You can chat all you want. Catch up daily if you desire.  In today’s world we are always together no matter the distance.

So we’ve talked about your behaviors and expectations but now let’s look at the lives of grandchildren.  No matter how close or how involved you are or want to be, you may start to feel left out.  As grand children grow they become entrenched in their own lives with their own friends, the school, their activities. You may start to feel very left out. And you gave up your dreams for this?

As you consider a move to Festival or any other community remember this;  love your children and grand children, give them all the attention they deserve but remember they too have lives of their own. Maybe it’s time for grandma and grandpa to get a life.