draper5

I feel the same. Have 3 boys - eldest (12 this week) says "I'm not going"/"I'll stay here" etc. Middle one (10) was keen at first, now having doubts, but we feel we can win him over (he is motocross rider here and promise of almost unlimited riding in Oz might swing it!). He is also sport mad but dyslexic and worried about school, but when I pointed out how much sport they do and explained the TAFE system he seemed a bit happier. Youngest is 6 next week and is only concerned about leaving his dogs. (unfortunately they are both pretty old and wouldn't survive journey and quarantine I'm sure), so we've told him that we won't be leaving the dogs. Actually we'll probably put off going until the dogs are no longer, as I don't think any of us could bear to leave them at 16 years old!
So I too feel "evil" at times for following our dream of not saying "what if" when we're older. But as a friend recently pointed out, if we don't go, you can bet that the kids will do the travelling bit when they're old enough without a second thought for us! And probably end up emigrating themselves!!!!

You're certainly not alone in the guilt feelings that the kids give you and we too wish we'd gone when they were smaller, but hindsight's a wonderful thing!!

glennandkate

Thank you all for the replies - Even you Vash I think all this waiting is getting to me at the moment and what with the kids either moaning or giving me the silent treatment about it you kinda wonder what its all about! Anyhoo thanks for for all the words of support and the experiences you have had /having with your kids. It makes it a little bit easier when you know others are going through exactly the same thing and it so hard to talk to anyone off of the forum as people who's aren't going through the 'process' really don't understand.

Well I am going to tell the little bast***s that they are going wether they like it or not

jad n rich

Thats a lovely idealistic post, but its about being realistic and research and knowing what you can really expect is very important too.

Anyone whos even visted townsville would not be hoping for warm weather but very HOT, often breezeless and humid, and in summer lots of wet weather. Lots of thought about coping workwise, school wise and recreation wise in that climate would be very important. There would be much of the year where staying inside/finding an airconditioned spot would be the most comfortable option.

I think thats the most important advice, know exactly what you are going to, if you do, you can do it confidently. However even then, families have different opinions on going and staying so make sure the family has discussed what to do in the event everyone does not settle.

redlion

Thank you for your 'kind' words. I was not being idealistic i was being realistic, i have been to Townsville as it happens all be it not for a long time and it was beautifull but lets get facts correct, there is no comparison to our british weather, i am 42 years old and all i can ever remember is hoping that the weather will be nice this weekend when we are hopefully going to the beach which is 1.5 hours drive away. If you read my whole post i did say at the end that it wasnt just about the weather anyway, it would be foolish indeed to make that life changing move just for the weather. i was just trying to be supportive to the lady who seemed to be going through a bit of a crap time. I think she is adult enough to know if she is doing the right thing and for the right reasons, she certainly doesnt need someone like me you or any other to make that decision for her. Just take the post as it was given as a bit of moral support and please jump down off your high moral soap box!!


Have a nice day.

Nev.

jad n rich

Get over yourself please the reply was not about your ego, it was about townvilles weather. Which is as I described hot and harsh not warm, except for a few mild months in winter, ask any aussie most would tell you the same. You should check out north queensland beach conditions too like stingers if you think its beach paradise there. Just Facts mate I didnt build it.

Ive watched close friends (and other families) come to aus recently and turn around not much longer and go back because it was nothing like they expected, not easy to watch people go through that. So thank you for your lecture but I will continue to put my head on the chopping block and answer in a down to earth way. That is being supportive.

User Name

Kids are remarkably adaptable. Living in different places is a huge bonus. Opens up the world to them and can really help them cope later in life with inevitable changes of scenery/friends/jobs/etc. Good luck to you.

redlion

Its not a lecture, i am just standing up for myself when someone calls me. I happen to respect the fact that you and other people can tell it like it is. who said paradise???? i just said its better there than here which i believe it is. Anyway i dont want to get inot a tit for tat with you or anyone else, so lets just leave it there.

Nev.

mand8002

Kids are very adaptable and resilient so I am sure they will be fine. I have met someone who came over when one of their children was 16 and they did not want to come so the agreement was that they would come for 2 years and then when they were 18 they could have the money for a flight home. When this time came there was no way she would go back.
Kids are bound to be anxious about such a huge move, it is daunting enough starting a new school in the UK without having to do it in a new country but once they have had their first day there they will have friends and everything should be good.
I was fortunate in the fact that both the children that came with me wanted to come and the one that stayed in the UK and said she might never come is making the move next year.

sme

This is my daughters MSN pic

The A Team

Oh dear

Wendy

Hehe, bless her

it's probably because they are scared of the unknown. It's very daunting for us so they must be feeling extremely scared about the whole thing. She'll come round.

redlion

oh dear, that must make you feel just great


Nev.

sme

We've had a year of her being positive so the negative was bound to follow
She does acknowledge that there are bits she is really looking forward to so its not ALL bad

redlion

i think we must be very lucky cos our ten yr old is soooooooo excited about going, she knows shes leaving friends behind but new ones will be there too so shes cool.


Nev.

sme

Yes mine was like that too.....then .....woosh another rush of hormones