Originally Posted by kate 17

Sorry, about your nan Strawberry....Here's a hug. Remember you must always follow your dreams. I wouldn't want to hold my children back from anything they wanted to do as long as it's legal.

Originally Posted by snoopster

Hi Strawberry
Like you, I have a mum who is 'alone', in that she doesn't have my dad around for support.(he died many years ago when I was young). When we decided to emigrate, I went through the inevitable 'guilt ridden' phase where I wondered how she would cope without us around.
She was actually very supportive about us leaving the UK, and although she doesn't have my dad around, she has a lot of good friends who look out for her. She still gets lonely, and it makes me feel bad occasionally when she gets all tearful on skype, but the majority of the time she does just fine. She has a good social circle and my brother lives pretty close by - although they drive each other round the bend! Do you have brothers/sisters that will be around for your mum if you decide to move here?

I also remind myself that me and Mum drive one another batty when we're around each other too much. We're chalk and cheese, and although I love and miss her, sometimes a little bit of distance is a huge relief! We talk more now than we ever did before, and the kids get to wave to their granny on the webcam every week. She also makes the trip over here once a year for a couple of weeks - and although it's lovely to see her, it's also a bit of a sigh of relief when she goes as she still nags me like I'm 9 years old!

There was one bit of sound advice Mum gave us when she gave us her blessing to move here. She said 'Live your life for YOU and your family, not for me. You've all got a long life ahead to live your dreams, never die thinking 'what if...'. Pretty wise words I think - a nice change from 'Have you put on weight again dear?'

Originally Posted by rubberduckofdeath

I have a small but fairly tightly knit family. My mum, dad, sister and I are close. I have a half-brother too, but we're not that close. Other than that and a grandmother, we don't have any other real family. My mum's finding the concept of me moving thousands of miles away really difficult and cries every time we discuss it but it's what my fiancee and I want to do and I know if I don't at least give it a shot, I'll regret it for the rest of my life.

Only you can make the difficult decisions in life. You just have to get all of the information together, be it financial, professional or emotional.

All the best to you.

Originally Posted by Strawberry

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmph

don't patronise me......... I am aware of what I want to do but maybe it won't fit in with other members of the "family". I don't have a shitty job but a Business.!!! It won't be better or worse if I move "there" . My mother is 62 and fit and healthy!!!!! she will not happily follow me....!!! BUT like many others (probably including you/and/or/others) have a desire to try something different.....!!! What does that make me...???

Mel.

Originally Posted by Strawberry

My mother is 62 and fit and healthy!!!!!

Originally Posted by Strawberry

She is a physically fit and active 61 year old

Originally Posted by ireland2canada

I really wouldn't get into a flap about it, not given the way that your mother seems to be aging. Has she got that Benjamin Button syndrome?

Originally Posted by fledermaus

Er, I wasn't patronising you at all, trying to help you by taking the time to reply to your post. Which part was patronising?

I think it makes you a little on edge and over reacting.

Originally Posted by scottandsel

nice bit of advice there from your mum snoopster ah you get the weight one too do ya

Originally Posted by Strawberry

Sorry, yes I was....