Am Loolah

If you are going to live on the other side of the world and taking your parents only Grandchildren how do you stay in touch?

We have a bit of a dilema? My parents are young for their age, but mother particularly, as she is on her own, doesn't think she can face the journey from the UK to NZ alone? My eldest brother holidayed with her in France a year ago and won't do it again!!

My Dad re-married to younger woman, probably won't bother to visit (he's seen our youngest once in nearly 4 years - not very family orientated!And that's London/West Sussex to Cornwall)

Do we spend out and try to meet her halfway or ignore the pitiful whining and moaning?

We asked if she wanted to come too, to which she replied that NZ was boring. She last visited approximately 30 years ago?!

What does one to, when one's parents won't play ball?

lardyl

have been wondering the same....
my folks have no other g/kids but will travel
however, "the outlaws" have 3 more g/kids and don't travel or do aircraft...... perhaps they could consider a 20'er?????
modern technology is wonderful though!!!!!!!!!!!! so you can do usb-cameras, skype, etc etc

danny.f

Indeed-tis a dilema of enormous magnitude.
Are there safe anaesthetic drugs that can be administered over a 24 hour period ('You aint gettin me on no plane,fool!' Mr T)
Webcams. Once the children's infectious enthusiasm is noted by your ma,she will be gegging for a bit of Kiwiship!
At a rather large cost,you could fly out to,say,Singapore,meet her halfway,then escort her to your home from there,having spent 3 or 4 days eating well nice noodles.
Get her pissed,then get on t'internet,showing her what she'll be missing in the new,improved New Zealand!

Am Loolah

Hmmm, none of you have met my mother tis 74 year old (facelift - looks way younger) cross between Maggie Thatcher and the Queen!!

She's on first name terms with Mohammed Al Fayed - he owns her corner shop for God's sake ... she goes in her slippers for a pint of semi-skimmed!!

Only Joking!!

lardyl

you two are definitely the same person/id/whatever......

danny.f

No way!! Al Fayed's PA is an old family friend,Pete Willasey,used to be our next door neighbour. Small world.

Am Loolah

Give that man a passport and a link to pay off my credit card! I was meant to live in Horrids!!! My step-Granny who has Alsheimers (sp?) wonkey donkey, ran amok on the gold card, was v v v funny!!!

Genesis

Don't wish to sound callous but you do what is right for you and your IMMEDIATE family..everyone else comes a BIG second. It is your life and your only one (as far as we know..aye??). People will send you on guilt trips and give you a hard time..I had shed loads of it..didn't care cos it was our choice and no one was going to obstruct the decision we'd made irrespective of their genetic closeness or otherwise. Your mum appears to have a real block....30yrs ago..boring ..things might have changed in that time eh?? You appear to be bending over backwards ...we took our three very young kids away...all under 4...was the best thing we ever did...the wholly superior quality of life they have in NZ far outweighs having the rellies to visit once every 6 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good on yer for making the move. We wish you God's speed, what?

Am Loolah

Thank you - we are of the opinion it's our decision, like it or lump it. I do have 2 older brothers, one local and will he support her, NOOOOOOO!!!!

We're coming over no matter, but I am expecting a life threatening illness before we leave!! Hmmmm?

jueinnz

My father in law has the money and time (retired) to come over for a holiday and he just won't even consider it!!!! "Its a small tin pot island in the middle of no-where with nothing in it but sheep!!!!"
Its strange and also the empasis seems to be on us to stay in touch...why can't they ring us??? They would if we were in the UK????

sunshine_and_rain

My parents were exactly the same. For the first 3 years they moaned and groaned and made me feel very guilty. Then the came to visit 'cause they missed the grandchildren so much - then again - and now they want to come live here.............

sunshine_and_rain

My parents have rung about 4 times in 4 years!! We ring them all the tim - they say we chose to come live the other side of the world so its our job to stay in touch - kinda true I suppose. I think they get hurt by us moving and this is their way of having a little control maybe?? They calm down though and get used to it.

hazeandsteve

I've had this sort of bother since I moved to the Isle of Wight.
I have my relatives up north trying to lay guilt trips on me for not going to see them often enough, but my Mum came down this summer when it sank in that it was the only chance to see where I've lived for the last ten years!
Me and Haze are the one's who do all the running to visit, friends and relatives, so are now of the opinion that it may as well be Taupo they don't come to.

kwprwn

My parents were very supportive of us coming out here, and although my Dad is not a great traveller, they have already booked to come out to see us

My Mum was desperate to come out to see us

She may change her mind, when she realises you have actually gone

SarahB

Thats great news kwprwn.... when are they coming out?

My parents were so supportive right from the start. They think we are lucky sods to be here and that we made the right decision. They miss their only grandchild but we talk to them at least once a week and theyve already been out to see us this year... they plan to come out again January 2008.