Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

I'm a bit stuck! What would you do?

(34 Posts)
Daisy25 Fri 26-Jun-26 11:18:26

So I moved away from my family home a few years ago....2021 to be closer to my adult DD. She is now married and doesn't need me...but my Dad since passed and my Mum, as much as she is well, late 70's looks after my diabetic/depressed brother...and obviously misses my Dad.
I love my house, and local life, but feel terrible for not being closer to my Mum to support her going forwards. I miss seeing her on a regular basis. (live 2 hours away).
I have no ties to where I live now, but don't really want to move back to where I grew up. I'm really struggling to work out what is best to do for the future....both for myself and my Mum.
The housing market is so slow atm so feel I'm making that an excuse atm.
I'm not working atm as had a break after my Dad passed.
I can afford to take the Summer off.
I just feel really undecided about what to do for this next stage of my life....When I first moved here 5 years ago it was wonderful, but tbh like I've said I only planned to be here for 3/5 years. So not tied and my DD is married now and leads a very busy life. So she doesn't mind whether I move or stay.
Just looking for advice, if anyone else has been in this scenario.

Macaydia Mon 29-Jun-26 17:10:16

sparkle1234

Grandmafrench some super sound advice here . I would do exactly this . A very wise lady .

Agree with Granmafrench. She knows.

madeleine45 Mon 29-Jun-26 17:21:23

Having read your post and comments , could I just add a few things that I feel would be good to put into your considerations about moving, wherever you might end up. For yourself it would be worth checking up on public transport and closeness to things such as shops doctors and availability of things that you enjoy such as swimming or whatever. Whilst you are fine driving now , if you are thinking of a long term home in the future, looking to see how you can get around should you not be able to drive etc., is just worth considering, which doesnt mean that you might be fine driving for years, but I think it is easier to think of such things before you actually commit to moving.

Babsbada Mon 29-Jun-26 17:37:01

Grandmafrench's advice cant be bettered.
Go luck with what you decide.

Sadgrandma Mon 29-Jun-26 18:02:06

Daisy25, how close are you to your brother and what are your feelings about perhaps becoming his carer when your mum eventually passes? I would think very carefully about moving as you may well find that you will need the support of your DD yourself in the future. I think the advice of spending some extended time and then perhaps every other weekend when you return to work , with your mum and brother will enable you to give some support to your mum without totally committing yourself is very sound.

Thisismyname1953 Mon 29-Jun-26 20:04:34

I was told that you shouldn’t make a big decision within 12 months of a bereavement . Take your time . Stop thinking about it for the summer . Take things as they come . Does she drive ? Could she meet you halfway in a town with a cafe and have lunch . Maybe every 6 weeks or so and every other 3 weeks or so you go to her home . It would get her out of the house .

JPB123 Mon 29-Jun-26 21:48:04

When my mum passed away I travelled up to stay with Dad for 2 or 3 days every other week.I am so glad I did.We spent hours chatting .I did his shopping and the gardening and generally cleaned round. It was a 2 hour drive ,but it was worth it. I like driving ,so I didn’t find it a chore.I don’t think you really know what you want, give it a try .Your Mum sounds busy, but you could perhaps help your brother.

GoldenAge Mon 29-Jun-26 23:43:32

Daisy2 - is your current home somewhere you could place on airbnb for very specific periods of time? If so, you could plan longish periods of maybe two to four weeks in close proximity to your mother, renting out your own house and staying in an airbnb near her. That would not require any financial outlay and it would also give you the opportunity to focus on her whilst at the same time not having to sell your own property.

NotSpaghetti Tue 30-Jun-26 10:06:44

Has your brother got a life away from your mum or would you basically be his carer if your mum were incapable of looking after him?