When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
May 2nd 2017, 1:22 am
#46
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
That's for safety. To keep the kids from running under car wheels.
May 2nd 2017, 1:29 am
#47
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
I think that would be a great thing to do, and the parents might relish the opportunity of having a week or so without the kids. And they aren't just magical things for a lad - I miss having a boat and love fishing, camping not so much!!! But I think it is great for kids to do something slightly outside their comfort zone and have new experiences!!
As i dont see them growing up in the UK (except for my visits) id like for them to have at least one childhood memory they spent with their uncle that will stay with them forever, i feel then ive been a part of their lives.
Adults make their own decisions and although im dissapointed in them not visiting its their choice, its something I am now coming to terms with, however it would really sadden me if i didnt have the opportunity for my nephews and i to build some memories together.
I think we would have a magical time, a week is all we would need, as you say unique experiences that they would never forget.
May 2nd 2017, 1:33 am
#48
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
Oh ok fair enough, I suppose kids can go off running around no matter how good the parents discipline them.
Although i dont remember spots like that when we were kids in the 70s, but then we could sit in the front seat of the car and didnt even where seat belts.
Although i dont remember spots like that when we were kids in the 70s, but then we could sit in the front seat of the car and didnt even where seat belts.
May 2nd 2017, 2:03 am
#49
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
I had never thought of that. 
I think that's an excellent idea Paul. It could turn into an annual event...holidays with Uncle Paul. 
My nephews are 7 and 11 later this year, I thought about offering to pay half the air fare for my eldest nephew - within the next couple of years.... as i said i still want them to see the magic of coming here on holiday as a child. Then do the same for the younger one when hes old enough.
I think i could entertain them for a week, i have a boat i can take out and spend the overnight on, fishing swimming in the lake etc simple things, but magical things to a young lad, and the things you cant do in the UK in the same way as here, and then there is camping too....camping here is so much more exciting than in the UK, which is normally just a green field with no camp fires!! i also have some friends with kids at a similar age, so that would fill a couple of days too. Importantly it would give me chance to build memories with them.
I think i could entertain them for a week, i have a boat i can take out and spend the overnight on, fishing swimming in the lake etc simple things, but magical things to a young lad, and the things you cant do in the UK in the same way as here, and then there is camping too....camping here is so much more exciting than in the UK, which is normally just a green field with no camp fires!! i also have some friends with kids at a similar age, so that would fill a couple of days too. Importantly it would give me chance to build memories with them.
May 2nd 2017, 2:36 am
#51
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
May 2nd 2017, 2:48 am
#52
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
My nephews are 7 and 11 later this year, I thought about offering to pay half the air fare for my eldest nephew - within the next couple of years.... as i said i still want them to see the magic of coming here on holiday as a child. Then do the same for the younger one when hes old enough.
I think i could entertain them for a week, i have a boat i can take out and spend the overnight on, fishing swimming in the lake etc simple things, but magical things to a young lad, and the things you cant do in the UK in the same way as here, and then there is camping too....camping here is so much more exciting than in the UK, which is normally just a green field with no camp fires!! i also have some friends with kids at a similar age, so that would fill a couple of days too. Importantly it would give me chance to build memories with them.
I think i could entertain them for a week, i have a boat i can take out and spend the overnight on, fishing swimming in the lake etc simple things, but magical things to a young lad, and the things you cant do in the UK in the same way as here, and then there is camping too....camping here is so much more exciting than in the UK, which is normally just a green field with no camp fires!! i also have some friends with kids at a similar age, so that would fill a couple of days too. Importantly it would give me chance to build memories with them.
Airtransat is 8
https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/Tra...mpanied-minors
Westjet is 8.
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel.../unaccompanied
Air Canada is 8
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...-children.html
British Airways is 12
I'd have one of them over for a couple of weeks at the minimum, so that they get some 'downtime' and it's not all rushing around. My son took a friend with him to Hong Kong for a month one year (he was 9 and his friend was 11), he had an absolute blast and still remembers the trip.
Im one stage worse, ive had girlfriends, they have never gone the distance for one reason for another, (some just not suited, and a some where the girl broke it off for no real reason) so Ive never been married, so im sure im seen as the ultimate outcast! 
The people who know me (my close friends) know who and what i am though, so i just tell myself that!
The people who know me (my close friends) know who and what i am though, so i just tell myself that!
Sigh.
Last edited by Siouxie; May 2nd 2017 at 2:50 am.
May 2nd 2017, 2:57 am
#53
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
My son is 34 and single - never been married nor engaged, lived with one girl for 2 years but has been without a girlfriend for the past 2-3 years. He has the same issues with being excluded based on that - oh and being asked 'what's wrong with you then?' when he tells people he's single.
Sigh.
Don't worry ................ our best friend was 49 before he decided to ask his long-time friend (never really girl friend) to marry him. She was a year older than him
Their mothers (both fathers dead) were absolutely delighted
Their marriage was very happy until he died just over 35 years later.
May 2nd 2017, 3:06 am
#54
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
Don't worry ................ our best friend was 49 before he decided to ask his long-time friend (never really girl friend) to marry him. She was a year older than him
Their mothers (both fathers dead) were absolutely delighted
Their marriage was very happy until he died just over 35 years later.
Their mothers (both fathers dead) were absolutely delighted
Their marriage was very happy until he died just over 35 years later.
My son wants to have a family, so I'm not sure he would want to wait that long, lol.
May 2nd 2017, 5:37 am
#55
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
The people you make friends with at school last you a lifetime. Why else would your parents send you to that particular school?
May 2nd 2017, 1:43 pm
#56
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
My son is 34 and single - never been married nor engaged, lived with one girl for 2 years but has been without a girlfriend for the past 2-3 years. He has the same issues with being excluded based on that - oh and being asked 'what's wrong with you then?' when he tells people he's single.
Sigh.
(He is 19
)
May 2nd 2017, 4:48 pm
#58
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Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
That sounds like an excellent idea. My son flew unaccompanied from the age of 6/7 to Hong Kong every year (Christmas and summer) and I know that several of the airlines allow it at an early age. He was fortunate as he travelled on Cathay Pacific, who had a "Mum" that escorted the children while on the plane, but I'm not sure if other airlines do.
Airtransat is 8
https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/Tra...mpanied-minors
Westjet is 8.
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel.../unaccompanied
Air Canada is 8
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...-children.html
British Airways is 12
I'd have one of them over for a couple of weeks at the minimum, so that they get some 'downtime' and it's not all rushing around. My son took a friend with him to Hong Kong for a month one year (he was 9 and his friend was 11), he had an absolute blast and still remembers the trip.
My son is 34 and single - never been married nor engaged, lived with one girl for 2 years but has been without a girlfriend for the past 2-3 years. He has the same issues with being excluded based on that - oh and being asked 'what's wrong with you then?' when he tells people he's single.
Sigh.
Airtransat is 8
https://www.airtransat.com/en-CA/Tra...mpanied-minors
Westjet is 8.
https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel.../unaccompanied
Air Canada is 8
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...-children.html
British Airways is 12
I'd have one of them over for a couple of weeks at the minimum, so that they get some 'downtime' and it's not all rushing around. My son took a friend with him to Hong Kong for a month one year (he was 9 and his friend was 11), he had an absolute blast and still remembers the trip.
My son is 34 and single - never been married nor engaged, lived with one girl for 2 years but has been without a girlfriend for the past 2-3 years. He has the same issues with being excluded based on that - oh and being asked 'what's wrong with you then?' when he tells people he's single.
Sigh.
Its been great to get peoples input on this. Ive concluded my family and old friends have made their decisions. 8 years is a long time. So I need to put aside the old times and the history that goes with all that, its no longer relevant to my current life. I wont close the door totally, but I need to focus on my friends here. Which incidentally have stepped into the shoes of my old family, not just friends they have been great.
I have actually built a history with my "not so new" friends here now - a couple of us were reminiscing the other day - and we looked at each other laughed and said - we have a had a few good times havent we? So I think thats my answer.
I hope to get my two nephews over here in the next year or two - this will be my way of keeping some form of "blood family" connection open, So I think this is where i will focus my efforts on from here forward.
This forum is the only place to discuss things like this, as only fellow immigrants understand.
May 2nd 2017, 4:52 pm
#59
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 0
Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade
Its been great to get peoples input on this. Ive concluded my family and old friends have made their decisions. 8 years is a long time. So I need to put aside the old times and the history that goes with all that, its no longer relevant to my current life. I wont close the door totally, but I need to focus on my friends here. Which incidentally have stepped into the shoes of my old family, not just friends they have been great.
I have actually built a history with my "not so new" friends here now - a couple of us were reminiscing the other day - and we looked at each other laughed and said - we have a had a few good times havent we? So I think thats my answer.
I hope to get my two nephews over here in the next year or two - this will be my way of keeping some form of "blood family" connection open, So I think this is where i will focus my efforts on from here forward.
This forum is the only place to discuss things like this, as only fellow immigrants understand.
I have actually built a history with my "not so new" friends here now - a couple of us were reminiscing the other day - and we looked at each other laughed and said - we have a had a few good times havent we? So I think thats my answer.
I hope to get my two nephews over here in the next year or two - this will be my way of keeping some form of "blood family" connection open, So I think this is where i will focus my efforts on from here forward.
This forum is the only place to discuss things like this, as only fellow immigrants understand.
May 2nd 2017, 6:29 pm
#60
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Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: When did your relationship with UK friends and family start to fade