SHE’S UPSET MY PARENTS HAVE MOVED

Dear Coleen

My parents have recently retired to Spain and my eight-year-old daughter is inconsolable.

It’s taken me by surprise that it’s been this devastating for her.

She cries for my mother every single night and she’s even struggling in school.

Have you any ideas about how I can help her with this? She’s always been close to her grandparents, especially my mum, but none of us expected this.

Coleen says

It’s lovely that your daughter is so close to her grandparents, but heartbreaking to see her upset.

To a kid, Spain may as well be the other side of the world – anywhere they have to get on a plane to seems so far away. It might be worth talking to her about where it is on the globe and how quick and easy it is to go for visits and for them to visit you.

Kids don’t like change, it’s huge for them, but your daughter will get used to your parents relocating, especially when she realises she’ll still be talking to them and seeing them on holidays.

Do lots of Facetiming and Skyping so she can share what she’s been up to with your parents, and ask them to be proactive about keeping in touch with her, so she feels they’re still very much part of her life.