Being a Distance Grandchild - a Book for ALL Generations

“As a long-distancegrandchild, parent, and grandparent, this series is extremely relevant. Myonly living grandparent kept her presence alive for me during our longseparations in pre-internet days by faithfully writing on a blue aerogram eachweek. I never doubted her love, and reconnection seemed natural when we didmeet. This book will be a treasure for others seeking to find their way overthe miles. Thanks, Helen!”

Ruth E. Van Reken

Co-author of ThirdCulture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds,

Co-founder of Families inGlobal Transition

“When generationsof the same family are geographically distant, how can relationships andconnectivity be maintained, and even maximised? Helen provides some interestinginsights – and options – from the view of grandchildren. She aims to ‘informand inspire’ and she has certainly achieved both. This topic needs moreattention and this book is an important contribution to our understanding.”

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley, MA MSc PhD ONZM FRSNZ

Honorary Research Associate

Te Kura Pūkenga Tangata/College of Humanities andSocial Sciences

Massey University, Aotearoa New Zealand

“Being a DistanceGrandchild is the book we’ve needed for a long time now. Helen Elliscaptures the often-unspoken voice of grandchildren growing up far from theirgrandparents, and she does it with honesty, heart, and hope. This is essentialreading for any family navigating life across miles – it proves that distancedoesn’t have to mean disconnection.”

Greg Payne

Founder of The Cool Grandpa podcast, grandfather expert,author and Special Education teacher.

“Inthis newest addition to her Distance Families Series, Helen Ellis draws on herpersonal experience as a Distance Grandchild and her expertise as a researcherand writer to deliver another insightful contribution to our understanding ofintergenerational relationships – this time highlighting the voices ofgrandchildren. She offers warm, practical strategies that help parents,grandparents, and grandchildren bridge both geographical and emotionaldistances, fostering connections that are both meaningful and lasting.”

Karen L. Rancourt, PhD

Advice columnist, ‘AskDr. Gramma Karen’, hosted by GRAND Magazine

Author of It’sAll About Relationships: New Ways to Make Them Healthy and Fulfilling, at Homeand at Work

Author of the foreword of Beinga Distance Son or Daughter – A Book for ALL Generations

karenrancourt.com

“Being aDistance Grandchild fills a long-overdue gap by giving voice to thosegrowing up far from grandparents. Helen Ellis blends research and personalstories to explore identity, belonging and connection. This is a valuableresource for global families and professionals supportingintergenerational relationships across distance.”

Natasha Winnard

International youth empowerment consultant

“It is a verythorough piece of work. In Tolkien’s biography it described him as ‘goinginside language’. My feeling is that you have ‘gone inside’ and within yourtopic.”

Raewyn G.

Distance Grandparent, retired teacher, editor and publisher

“This is the third book in Helen Ellis’sseries describing the experiences of families where emigration has parted thegenerations. The book is the culmination of her experience and academicresearch. She explores with detailed interviews the effect on individuals of havinga grandparent geographically distanced – the nuances, challenges and unexpectedgifts of the separation. While families usually maintain contact with regularmeetings, here bridges have to be made across the world.”

JohnWilliamson

Editorof The Westerly, Auckland, New Zealand

“After reading this latest book by Helen Ellis, celebratingthe role of grandchildren, you might regret never having experienced this bondor feel remorse for not nurturing it more while your grandparents were stillalive. Drawing from 25 deeply personal interviews withgrandchildren around the world, Ellis reveals the profound power and lastingnature of these connections. In a time when loneliness afflicts both theyoung and the old, and when we all crave meaningful emotional ties, theseintergenerational relationships emerge as a vital remedy. Even when family members live continents apart, overcomingthe challenges of staying connected is not only possible but also deeplyrewarding. A wonderful and timely feel-good read!”

StephenGolant, PhD

Professor Emeritus, University of Florida

“Helen Ellis’sglobally sourced collection of stories from Distance Grandchildren’sperspectives fills a notable gap in global mobility publications. Herreflections and personal connections to these diverse stories blends the humanand the academic and leaves the reader with a clear pathway for successfulrelationships through the barrier of distance.”

Dr Bianca Vowell

Lecturer – Speech and Language Therapy, MasseyUniversity, Aotearoa New Zealand

Special interest: Cross-cultural populations,including Third Culture Kids

“Helen’s writing is both familiar and reassuring, skilfullyblending academic theory with personal narratives drawn from her own experienceand from those she has interviewed. Being a Distance Grandchild givesa much-needed voice to family members often overlooked in conversations aboutexpatriate life. As the mother of a Distance Grandchild,I found the book offered valuable insight into how my daughter navigates herrelationship with her grandparents back in New Zealand and how she has been able to create a trulyspecial bond with them – despite the miles between them.”

Korinne Algie

Editor, International School Parent magazine

“In this beautifully written book, HelenEllis captures the voices of grandchildren through touching and authenticstories. The narrative is warm, readable, and emotionally poignant. For readerswishing to nurture long distance relationships, much practical advice isoffered that will make a real difference. This is a truly valuable resource foranyone navigating the complexities of family and connection across miles.”

Dr Tracey Walmsley

University ofTechnology Sydney

“Rich with insightand practical advice, this book underscores two essentials for happyintergenerational relationships in distance families: connection and empathy.When nurtured consistently, these qualities allow grandparent–grandchild bondsto flourish regardless of geography or how often they meet. The guidepoststhroughout these pages offer families clear direction toward deeper ties,greater joy, and cherished memories.”

PamNoda

DistanceDaughter, mother of two Distance Grandchildren, expat coach & founder ofHearts at Home Abroad

Helen Ellis is a New Zealand-based researcher, writer, anthropologist, and 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 the founder of a platform dedicated to supporting and understanding the unique dynamics of families spread across the globe. Her guiding research question – How is Distance Familying for you? – reflects her deep commitment to giving voice to each generation of Distance Families.

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.

“With understanding comes empathy,” she says, “and this can only do good as we all gingerly navigate the often-challenging social phenomenon of Distance Families.”

Being a Distance Grandchild is the final book in her three-part series exploring Distance Families from each generational perspective – grandparents, sons and daughters, and now, grandchildren. Helen encourages readers from all generations to explore the full series to gain a richer, more compassionate understanding of the others’ experiences.