So I have visa, I have ((just!) booked my flights. So far so exciting, however the family reaction to my news has tanked like a lead balloon
Not one member of my immediate family has said they would come out and all I'm hearing is how faraway it is and how they wont see me,
I understand they will miss me, but it is only for 2 years and it really hurts me that not one of them has expressed any positiveness at all.
Anyone else had to deal with reluctant family?

Hi there,

By any chance is it the IEC visa you've got from IEC? I received my Letter of Introduction back in April and I think I'll be jetting off to Canada end of August or possible early Sept to Toronto. I have yet to tell me family of my plans and I'm a little nervous as I think they won't like the idea of me jetting off to Canada. Just tell them your plans and what you what to achieve over there.....i'm planning to tell my family I intend of going over there for work purposes and to enjoy a different way of life. Good luck!!

See it from their point of view. It is always hard to be left behind. Everybody seems to think Canada is on the moon and it costs a trillion pounds to visit. Once they get used to the idea of you moving and have looked into flights etc. they might be more positive and then like you said it's just for 2 years so they know you'll be coming back.
My husband's mate came over with an IEC visa and his mom said "we won't see you then for your birthday" so he replied " well not unless you come over to Canada" where his dad joined the conversation by saying "we won't see you then".
So you are not alone lol.
And in the end better that then in our case where everybody promised to come at least once a year and after only 2 years they changed it to whenever
Enjoy your Canada experience!!!

My family was the same said why was I going etc etc and its best move I every moved

My family said exactly the same. We have been here just over 4 years and love it. Oh and my Mum who said she would never come has been to visit around 10 times.

It's really tough to understand peoples reactions, especially when you are in that super excited phase - it tends to hit harder somehow.

Don't let a bit of negativity spoil your dream, there's 3 options as I see it, they come to see you, you fly back to see them, no-one flies to see anyone.

When you move keep in touch and try not to send emails / make phone calls that harp on about "the best move you ever made" it maymake them dig their hells in more. On the flip side (whilst I know family are the ones most of us would go to when we need support) if thngs aren't going too great at times, try not to let them in on just how not great - because you'll probably get the "I told you so" speech.

Be positive and happy and proud of yourself for doing it, and hope they come around, thats all you can do.

Politely remind your parents of all those times they made you do stuff you didnt want to and how they said its good for you. Maybe they dressed you up in hideous clothing that has mentally scarred you for life and whenever you hear the word plaid you hyperventilate.
Did they make you take piano lessons and when in a Chinese restaurant and asked if you would like chopsticks you come out in a cold sweat.
Remember all of that tofu they made you eat.

As others have said yes they will be dissapointed but they will come around.
Its when you have been here for 2 years and you now tell them that you are getting married and applying to stay here permanently is when they will be really PISSED at you.

Yes. Getting away from some of them was one of the reasons I moved here - akthough being offered a job was the bigger one. I'd ignore them if I were you, it's your life not theirs.

Oh we had it big time from the MIL.

She's a healthy and fit woman... but not in the run up to us coming over. She was in hospital, couldn't move, couldn't eat etc etc.... they put it down to a pulled muscle. All 4 weeks before we moved.

She has done it since we got here too - within 2 months of us landing.

Sometimes you have to be selfish and follow your dream...

Hey Dizzy,
If your family have not expressed any positives about your move then its even more reason to go.
I went to Canada for three and a half years on a work permit. My god did I change as a person. I learned so much and it opened my eyes. I had travelled before but the experience taught me a lot about people and how they will beat you down in their company and keep u their.
When I moved back, the same people had the same dull mentality.
You can't change your family but you can change yourself.
Don't worry about your family, they still gona be there..

Well said! I still think our families would love for us to fail. More reason to make it work! Good luck!!

Keeping that gem of information for a later date....:P!
I have now gone on a charm offensive, offered to go on holiday with them in October and trying to introduce them to the concept of Skype (my mum "But I can't call you after 6pm it will cost the earth" and "so what time does Skype close?!)
I can see why it's floored them, this is by far the biggest thing I have ever done and they are very used to having a lot of input in my life. I think the fact I didn't consult them and am clearly going to do it is the scariest thing for them!
It would seem there is no easy way to tell friends and family that you're skipping off half way round the world, reassuring to know that others have faced the same hurdles.
Yes I have an IEC Visa, I wish you good luck in telling your folks!