Feeling Guilty
#1
Feeling Guilty
My wife and i have been looking to emigrate for 2 years now.We have informed our widowed parents and kept them aware of every stage of buying our house in Spain .Why is it that now the time has actually arrived to move ,they have a knack of making you feel as if you are abandoning them .We haved lived quite near to our parents and they have never really bothered with us or our children so why do we feel so guilty .Has anyone else experianced similar?. Thanks
#2
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
Re: Feeling Guilty
My parents couldn't wait to get rid of me..................funny really.
Mind you, I did go to public school and it does tend to make you a better person I feel.
Mind you, I did go to public school and it does tend to make you a better person I feel.
#3
Re: Feeling Guilty
My wife and i have been looking to emigrate for 2 years now.We have informed our widowed parents and kept them aware of every stage of buying our house in Spain .Why is it that now the time has actually arrived to move ,they have a knack of making you feel as if you are abandoning them .We haved lived quite near to our parents and they have never really bothered with us or our children so why do we feel so guilty .Has anyone else experianced similar?. Thanks
We left our daughter in the UK ...... that was bad enough, and I still feel guilty about that to some extent. But at least she can look after herself.
So ..... not helpful I know .... but if you've made the decision then all I can say is make sure that you go back regularly, or they come to see you regularly.
#6
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
#7
Re: Feeling Guilty
Hi Simon,
I'll reply to you, eve though you are a Toffee!
We moved to Spain two years ago.
My partner's parents have both passed away, but mine are very much still here
They are relatively young (in their 60s) and apart from my poor Mum's arthritis, they are thankfully in reasonably good health.
We talked to them about our desire to make the most of this opportunity to experience a new life; and it was very important to me that they were not too devastated about our plans.
However, as they had looked to emigrate to Canada themselves when I was only 2, I think this helped them to balance up their feelings and our wishes.
My parents have been wholeheartedly supportive of our move, even though I know they miss me.
They understand that we have to live our lives for ourselves, and that just because we're a few hundred miles away, I don't love them any less.
I can't say I've ever felt guilty, nor have I ever missed my parents desperately - even though my Mum and I are especially close.
My parents view this as an indication of how happy I am, rather than a snub towards them.
We speak on the phone at least twice a week; and to be honest I see them probably just as often now, as I did when I was living in Somerset and they were in Wales!
Perhaps the thing that stops me from feeling guilty, is that I know that if they need me at any time, I can be with them within just a few hours.
As my parents get older, I fully anticipate that there will be spells when I will need to be back in the UK caring for them.
We only get one shot at life, and the older we get, the clearer that becomes.
Perhaps your parents are regretting that you haven't all had a closer relationship, and are now realising that they're going to miss out on that opportunity?
I wish you luck with your new venture, and hope that you can leave the UK feeling better about the situation with your parents.
However, if not, don't beat yourselves up about it. It's your life, and presumably you're trying to create something positive for your children.
Just remember not to be too disheartened if your kids decide to move to another country when they're older!
All the very best to you and your family,
Sam.
I'll reply to you, eve though you are a Toffee!
We moved to Spain two years ago.
My partner's parents have both passed away, but mine are very much still here
They are relatively young (in their 60s) and apart from my poor Mum's arthritis, they are thankfully in reasonably good health.
We talked to them about our desire to make the most of this opportunity to experience a new life; and it was very important to me that they were not too devastated about our plans.
However, as they had looked to emigrate to Canada themselves when I was only 2, I think this helped them to balance up their feelings and our wishes.
My parents have been wholeheartedly supportive of our move, even though I know they miss me.
They understand that we have to live our lives for ourselves, and that just because we're a few hundred miles away, I don't love them any less.
I can't say I've ever felt guilty, nor have I ever missed my parents desperately - even though my Mum and I are especially close.
My parents view this as an indication of how happy I am, rather than a snub towards them.
We speak on the phone at least twice a week; and to be honest I see them probably just as often now, as I did when I was living in Somerset and they were in Wales!
Perhaps the thing that stops me from feeling guilty, is that I know that if they need me at any time, I can be with them within just a few hours.
As my parents get older, I fully anticipate that there will be spells when I will need to be back in the UK caring for them.
We only get one shot at life, and the older we get, the clearer that becomes.
Perhaps your parents are regretting that you haven't all had a closer relationship, and are now realising that they're going to miss out on that opportunity?
I wish you luck with your new venture, and hope that you can leave the UK feeling better about the situation with your parents.
However, if not, don't beat yourselves up about it. It's your life, and presumably you're trying to create something positive for your children.
Just remember not to be too disheartened if your kids decide to move to another country when they're older!
All the very best to you and your family,
Sam.
#10
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
#11
Re: Feeling Guilty
My wife and i have been looking to emigrate for 2 years now.We have informed our widowed parents and kept them aware of every stage of buying our house in Spain .Why is it that now the time has actually arrived to move ,they have a knack of making you feel as if you are abandoning them .We haved lived quite near to our parents and they have never really bothered with us or our children so why do we feel so guilty .Has anyone else experianced similar?. Thanks
Good Luck
Rosemary
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: EspaƱa
Posts: 728
Re: Feeling Guilty
My wife and i have been looking to emigrate for 2 years now.We have informed our widowed parents and kept them aware of every stage of buying our house in Spain .Why is it that now the time has actually arrived to move ,they have a knack of making you feel as if you are abandoning them .We haved lived quite near to our parents and they have never really bothered with us or our children so why do we feel so guilty .Has anyone else experianced similar?. Thanks
The feelings of guilt are perfectly normal, but must not be allowed to get in the way of your family's wishes and future. And remember, you're only a couple of hours away. Good luck
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Torrevieja & Los Altos, Spain. Formaly from Wembley, London, UK
Posts: 390
Re: Feeling Guilty
Yes I feel very guilty, especially as mum is nearly 94 & has short term memory loss, we have been here 4 years & I am beginning to feel even more guilty as we cant go over to London that often because our pension is so low.
Wendy x
Wendy x
#14
Re: Feeling Guilty
When I told my parents I was moving abroad they didn't seem to take me serious and when I was about to leave they tried to put me off with a lot of negativity . It didn't work at all, I've always been very stubborn but even more so back then.. If I wanted to do something nothing would stop me..
Simon, it sounds like your parents were in denial, they knew you were moving but they didn't want to admit to themselves that the day would come..
Simon, it sounds like your parents were in denial, they knew you were moving but they didn't want to admit to themselves that the day would come..
#15
Re: Feeling Guilty
Nothing wrong with boarding school, I'm going back to mine for a reunion in November