Family emigrating

I do sympathise with you especially if your son has had some issues before living in Australia but hopefully now he is happily settled with a new wife and children he will be fine.

From your perspective though it's devastating. We went through it 7 years ago when our youngest son emigrated to NZ when his wife was pregnant with their first child. She was from there and her family were all there so it didn't really come as a surprise but that didn't make it any easier. I spent several months before they went crying quietly to myself. The week before they left they spent with us and we had days out together and a big family get together for everyone to say goodbye (so sad that's not possible at the moment). It was heartbreaking but actually I think the build up was far worse than when they had actually gone. You get used to it and with so many great ways to communicate now you will be able to talk to your grandchildren. You have the advantage of your GD already knowing you and being close so that bond will remain as she grows.

Oh lovey I can fully sympathise. Several years ago my daughter, husband and their 2 children were going to do the same, and I was beside myself. I was asked to go too, but for various reasons it really wasn't for me,
Thankfully Australia had closed it's doors for a while so to speak, and they have never wanted to reapply. I hope things get easier for you in time

He obviously hasn't learned from his last experience there and gawd knows why he's going back and this time dragging his family over there too. I'm really sorry but I would feel the same if my small family did the same to Denmark.

My No1 son moved to NZ with his wife when she was pregnant early this year. I was devastated, and I still haven’t met my grandchild yet who was born since, but have kept quiet on my own disappointment and sadness as advised by gransnetters here. They do seem very happy there though.the work life balance for them as a wee family is much better than it would be for them here so I try and keep that at the front of my mind. It is hard though and you have all my sympathies.

NannyKat - I could send lots of advice and tips but at the end of the day I can’t imagine how you feel and just want to send you a huge virtual hug with my very best wishes xx

My best friend went through the same thing 3 years ago when her only son announced that he and his family were planning to emigrate to Australia.
She had been a part time carer for her youngest GC since she was 6 months old so would miss her especially but I think that after the initial shock, she managed to deal with it as seeing that it was exciting for them.
Seeing them leave must have been heartbreaking but she coped somehow and they have been there for 2 years, loving it and being able to have a lifestyle that they never would have had if they had stayed here. Her son has been promoted twice in his job, has been given full support with training etc and getting on well.
My friend's OH has M.E. but they went to visit their son last February (got back a week before lockdown) and I think a lot of her worries were laid to rest.
Your son, having been there before, will be aware of the pros and cons of the country and unlike when I lived there, it is possible to have daily contact if you wish.
What you need to do is wish them well, smile through the tears and make plans to go on a visit .

NannyKat we moved to Hong Kong 2 months after getting married and lived there for 20 years, all 3 of our children were born there. My parents didn't visit for over 10 years (we came home every summer once the children were born). My Dad didn't want to make the long journey but I think my Mum saying she'd come on her own decided him. Once he'd visited once he loved it and came every year until he died.

You could make it an adventure and stop off in other places (I can recommend HK!) and get a long stay visa so the trip is worth it

While travelling in Australia our daughter met the man of her dreams they married over here and they are now living in Australia with 2 children 10 and 8 and she is happier than she has ever been. That is all we ever wanted for her. I'm sad we only see them once a year but we facetime weekly and we are pleased for her. We wouldn't want to live their ourselves but love visiting.

I understand how you feel but I think we have to let our grown up children live their lives. About 40 years ago my ex husband and I had the chance to emigrate to Canada. I have distant family over there who were eager to help us settle and we both had careers in great demand there. My MIL created so badly even threatening suicide that we have in and both of us have regretted it since. It caused great resentment and adversely affected our relationships.

NannyKat - I did move to Australia to be closer to my children and Grandchildren. The back and forth I tried for three years just didn’t work as I couldn’t be any kind of consistent help or presence in their lives and the partings were so hard. It has been really tough moving over here on my own, but I do now have the reward of a loving relationship with my Grandchildren, having watched them grow and being an active part of their lives. I’ve also, after a couple of false starts, found professional opportunities I wouldn’t have had in the UK.

NannyKat just wanted to say I totally understand how you feel, I’d be devastated too. I’ve been to Oz for a holiday and understand the attraction. Work on your husband. Once you get him there I’m sure he’ll love it and want to go back. Is there a carrot you can dangle? Rugby, cricket etc.
Sending hugs ?

My son and his wife and baby daughter moved to Dubai 3 years ago, only half the distance I know, we missed them dreadfully but we face timed a lot and they came home or we visited a couple of times a year, this year has been tough though as we haven’t seen them since February, they will be home for Christmas but our meetings will have to be outside as they will be prioritising my DIL,s widowed Mum which is understandable but sad for my family. I tell myself we gave them wings to fly and can’t really complain when they do. I hope it works out for you all

I so empathise with you and my heart goes out to you NannyKat. Son No1 did speak about emigrating to NZ but his wife’s Dad is sadly very ill, so it was forgotten about. Son No2 is moving to Jersey next year, having an offer that he just can’t refuse ! However, I know I can just drive up to Gatwick once a month and fly over. I so wish you well ....

I understand your concerns NannyKat when your son had such a difficult time in Australia before. As they have their visas etc now there is little you can do except wish them well. We all learn from our experiences hopefully and your son will not go down the same road again.
As always our children have to spread their wings and be independent, give them your blessing and look forward to holidays out there.

It is very sad but it’s their life and we just have to get on with it don’t we.
Mine moved to Sydney about 23 years ago but I did have the advantage that my parents lived abroad when I was growing up so perhaps the world didn’t seem quite so big to me.
It is so much easier now to keep in touch and it’s wonderful to be able to see each other and even , if the timing is right, to have family zoom quizzes.
We decided that we would go for a couple of months every year now that we have more time. Well COVID has scuppered that good idea but, hopefully, next year.?
Do you have family here too?

Beauregard - thank you for your support - we really are in the same boat.

Maybe they go maybe not, but whatever they choose we just have to let them have that choice.

The only thing that is wonderful is technology - facetime, whattsapp etc - at least can see the little ones grow. Kindest regards

Lucca - thank you for your support. Its much appreciated

Hithere - I really do have many more things in life to fill the void. I still have a very important and demanding job. A great social life and a loving husband. I just never thought that little people in your life could make a person feel this way.

My sons story is not a pleasant one. Something I dont want to remember. It involved rehab and a huge amount of savings to cover it all off. Thats why Australia has no appeal to me or his father.
He has a new wife and very young family - hence my massive concern over the future. Just wanted to get my feeling out there and get it off my chest.

I will come to terms with it, I always do - just needed a place to express it all

Hithere

Please find other interests and hobbies to fill the void.

Grandchildren cannot be your only goal and role in life - it is not healthy

Wish them best of luck and be happy for them.
They may be emigrating under very different circumstances compared to the past.

She didn’t say that. NannyKat will miss her son as well, and I know what that feels like even when you fill your life with other things. Have some empathy please.
NannyKat you have my support for feeling as you do

Nannykat you will find plenty of support and advice on here as a number of Gransnetters have DC living overseas.

It is hard but you just have to wish the best for them as everything looks uncertain here at the moment.

I'm not sure if the relative's visa has to be purchased or not, but certainly a 3 month holiday visa is (or was) free.
We'll all be queuing up at the airport when this is over.
I hope your husband changes his mind and makes the journey.

I am in your boat NannyKat and really sympathise with you. My DD and SiL told us in June that they planned to move to NZ next year with their two children 7 and 5. It hasn't been mentioned since but at some point we expect to hear more.

We've concluded that what will be will be and are awaiting news in due course. We're ok with it at the moment but expect their plans will start to progress at some point in the next few months, unless they change their minds as they can be very impulsive.

We won't visit them as DH won't fly that far, unless I go alone.

At the end of the day they will go off and do what they want to do, and we will adapt and live our lives without them around. All we can do is support them and hope to see them again in the future.

Please find other interests and hobbies to fill the void.

Grandchildren cannot be your only goal and role in life - it is not healthy

Wish them best of luck and be happy for them.
They may be emigrating under very different circumstances compared to the past.

Thank you all for the support and advice. I am able to visit Australia and probably will do often. Its the small things that break my heart. GD is nearly 3 and she sleeps over most weekends which has made us close. To think I wont have this going forward is quite hard.
I would pack up and leave with them tomorrow but my husband has no desire to go to Australia or even to visit. I know I must get used to the idea as they have just received their visas and are about to buy their plane tickets.
The extended visa sounds very inviting and I will be looking into that. Thank you all

PS having just seen MrsThreadgoode's post has reminded me that parents can get extended visas for up to 6 months I think, which is something to think about.

Give them a year or two to settle then go and join them if everything is OK, the rules for parents joining family in Australia or NZ are attractive, several families I know have done just that.

My heart goes out to you NannyKat. No matter how much we want our AC to be happy, being told that they are going to the other side of the world is initially devastating.

This will be doubly difficult because your son has had a previous bad experience when he lived there before, so your concerns are perfectly understandable.

I remember how I felt when our DS told us that once they were married, he and his new wife were moving to Perth as they had the opportunity to do so with her job.

That was 5.5 years ago and 2.5 years ago they broke up and he is now divorced. He's still in Perth, loving his life which as much as we miss him, and we do desperately, is all that really matters.

You don't say if you have any other children which can make this a little easier to come to terms with us. We do have another son who has 2 children but he estranged us 8 years ago, about 18 months before our DS left for Aus. At the time, DS going so far away felt like the straw that would break the camel's back, but it didn't.

We Face Time practically every week and have been over there 4 times to see him. He says he probably speaks to us more now, than he did when he lived only a 10 minute car journey away, and I think he's right!!

I'm sure that having had a previously bad experience, your son and his wife will have looked into this move very carefully as they also have their children to consider.

Give it time NannyKat for the initial shock and worries to settle down. Perhaps when you talk with them about their plans and dreams for them and the children, you'll feel a little happier about their decision.