I first posted here in January after my wife, daughter and I had decided to return to the UK after my daughter completes her secondary schooling here in Oz at the end of 2011. We left the UK in 1995 and this is our fourth country since that time (I was a former multinational employee).

At that time I was asking for tips in "staying in the present" over the next two years rather than already starting to focus on something that isn't going to happen for quite a while.

Well, we're six months in and I thought I'd give an update. My wife paid a visit to the UK and we went and bought a house in Gloucester. This is in part a forlorn attempt to influence any decisions about home/international status at UK unis for my daughter, but in reality I think it is an important step for my wife to "prove" that a move is really going to happen! (Please don't bother replying that there is a three year rule and we don't deserve UK financial support as we've been away for so long...I have a different view and that particular debate gets aired on here often enough!)

I would be quite happy to stay in Oz, whereas my wife and daughter both wish to return. However, I am also really happy to support my women in their desire to head back. I read from other posters on here that they want to return but their OH won't move...I'm no "hero" but my wife has supported me in my career so far so why wouldn't I return the favour? I can also see some positives in returning in terms of social and family life.

Anyhow, we might have got lucky and found a tenant for the house very quickly, so over the next eighteen months we may be able to cover the mortgage and maybe make a few pennies to cover the stamp duty and other purchase costs.

My only problem so far is me. I'm finding it really hard to focus on a work role that I am well paid for and for which my company deserves my complete attention (when at work). You might notice I am posting this in company time!! I work for a great outfit with really good people and at the moment I am not pulling my weight!

I can't tell my boss about our decision for at least another year, as I feel that would jeopardise my immediate future here, so the house purchase is a secret and the three of us are rather guarded about what we say to others. My integrity is important to me and I am certainly feeling less than my normal authentic self at the moment.

My wife has a "survival strategy" and spends a lot of time watching shows like Selling Houses Australia and Relocation Relocation! My daughter likes her school and loves her friends and is tied up with studies and an ever growing social life.

I need to work out my own strategy, otherwise the next eighteen months are going to be wasted in terms of my own self-fulfillment and achievement, both professionally and personally. I would welcome your thoughts.

You could come on here every day at work and talk talk talk We wont tell anyone.

Beautiful! Maybe not every day but I'll see what I can do! Mum's the word.

Goodness, that's tricky keeping a secret of such magnitude. I think you're smart to do it though....I'm a blabber gob and wish I'd left it until much later as you find yourself constantly talking about the big move......and dear friends get upset at you for going and so on.....

What to do to keep busy? Mmmmmm - study water colours, pottery, learn a language, have a baby (that's what I did), have a list of books you have always wanted to read and read 'em.......drink heavily.....

Keep us posted on events, it's fab to read.

I've told money penny to keep this secret.

I think you have to look at it as an exciting secret (like finding our you're wife is pregnant but waiting til 12 weeks to tell people) rather than a burden or a lie. When we first decided to move to Canada we told tons of people and I wish we hadn't - if we ever move back to the UK I intend to keep it very quiet until just a couple of months before - I think its easier to figure out what you want without all the opinions!

I wish I'd read this before I opened my big trap! You are so very wise to do this. It becomes confusing and exhausting with everyone's opinions and now I feel paranoid that I'm topic of discussion......weird leaving feelings.

Oh god, I so wish I had done this. I've spent years saying that we're moving back, now I don't know how to tell my family that we've changed our minds and are actually staying. I feel such an idiot!

To the OP, I think you're doing the absolute right thing and the 18 months will fly by.