Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Long-Distance Grandparenting

Being a long-distance grandparent carries an emotional weight that can be difficult to manage and is often misunderstood or unintentionally dismissed by those around you. The distance can amplify feelings of grief and longing, as you navigate the challenge of staying lovingly connected with your grandchildren while experiencing emotions that can run deep, touching every aspect of your experience as a grandparent. With warmth and expertise and drawing on hundreds of hours working with long-distance grandparents, Dr. Kerry Byrne explores why these feelings are so complex and shares practical strategies to help you manage the grief, sadness, and longing. We discuss: • Insight into why you might be feeling such a unique mix of emotions — and how to embrace them with compassion. • A deeper understanding of grief and why you are experiencing it in relation to living at a distance from your grandchildren. • Coping strategies that have helped others process these feelings of sadness and disconnection. • Thoughtful approaches to helping your grandchildren navigate their own feelings of missing you, including strategies for saying goodbye after visits in an emotionally supportive way. Note: We have edited the recording to protect participants’ privacy. The Jewish Grandparents Network engages, educates, and celebrates grandparents as an essential influence in Jewish family life. We welcome grandparents from all backgrounds and traditions and embrace the diversity of today’s Jewish families. For more information, visit: https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org/ Subscribe to our channel: https://tinyurl.com/5n89p8n5 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org... Join our Facebook Group:   / jewishgrandparentsnetwork   Like us on Facebook:   / jewishgrandparentsnetwork