Long storey but my DH and I moved approximately 200 miles away from my DD and family 3 1/2 years ago. We'd been there to help with the DGC from birth to when the youngest one turned 10, and felt that it was time for us to do something we'd always wanted to do - move to the countryside.
Sadly just before we were due to move, DD's marriage fell apart, turned out she had someone new on the go, which led to a lot of fall outs with both us, and between her and her kids, resulting longer term in all the children moving in with their dad.
Although we were pretty much committed to the move when the break up happened, we asked all of the family if they wanted us to stay where we were, it wouldn't have been easy for us, but we'd have done it for them, because we love them. Anyway, they all said no, go ahead with the move, it'll be lovely to come and visit you somewhere different, etc.
However, once we'd actually made the move, it all changed, and in spite of me constantly making the effort to keep in touch, it just seems that it's all too much trouble for any of them to reciprocate unless of course they want something.
I love them all so much, and had such high hopes of visits both ways and fun days out etc, once we'd moved, but they can't even be bothered to pick up the phone, send a text, or whatever.
After a very bitter falling out with my daughter, caused by her new partner, which lasted 2 years, we finally managed to put it all behind us, but even now after promising me that she'd give me a call once a week or so, not necessarily for long, but just to keep in touch, I'm lucky if I get a text once a fortnight. I realise that my older grandchildren don't need me anymore, but the youngest one has said on occasion that they would like it if we moved back, but it's just not that easy as where we live properties don't sell quickly, and while we want more contact with the family we don't necessarily want to move back to the rat race now that we're in our 60's. Is it really asking too much for the family to keep in touch or come and visit occasionally? Or is it down to us as we moved away to do all the keeping in touch, and travelling, which is getting harder due to disabilities now that we're getting older.
I should perhaps add that friends from the area come and see us quite often with never a word of complaint about it being too far, etc.
If you think I ABU please be gentle as I'm feeling a bit fragile about it all at the moment.
Thanks everyone.