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Grandparenting

Unbiased Help Needed

(35 Posts)
icanhandthemback Sat 22-Apr-23 21:48:08

Have I misunderstood? From the OP it sounds like it the father of the DIL who is encouraging them to move abroad, not the OP's son.

Calendargirl Sat 22-Apr-23 21:04:27

Of course, it’s up to the young couple to do what they think best for them.

The OP seems to think their new life won’t affect the girls family much, they have the time and money to make frequent trips to visit them.

Not the same for OP.

I can imagine how she feels, and sympathise.

Nanatoone Sat 22-Apr-23 20:30:03

We went abroad and left our parents behind. Quite honestly as much as we loved both sets of parents we only considered ourselves at the time. It is their lives and I know my mum missed me hugely but they came over and had a ball and we came back and saw them. It was a terrific experiment and not to be missed. Just provide support and let them get on with it.

lyleLyle Sat 22-Apr-23 20:23:14

Respectfully, if your son and his wife are adults, why do the grandparents think they can map their lives out for them?

I think you all need to get off the young couple’s back and let them decide their own future.

HeavenLeigh Sat 22-Apr-23 20:10:51

You have done a fantastic job of bringing up your son op. He as you say has found a wonderful girl and they have a baby now,I think you have to stand back and be happy that he’s happy, I do however understand how you must be feeling, is there any chance that they can come and visit you and stay, or you go over once a year, there are ways of keeping in touch throughout the year it’s not going to be the same as seeing them of course but it is easier now than ever. Please don’t feel rejected.

MercuryQueen Sat 22-Apr-23 20:07:07

All you can do is support whatever decision they make. It’s not reasonable to expect them to make decisions centred around anyone but themselves. They may go, since your son has always wanted to travel, or they may stay, since your DIL is more a homebody. Either way, you’re best not pushing or pulling.

Norah Sat 22-Apr-23 20:03:47

I fee I suppose rejected and unthought of. Advise please

Your independent son wishes to live abroad/earn well? Seems he spoke to you about it and feels it will "work out". Sounds good, what is the real problem that I obviously missed?

Hithere Sat 22-Apr-23 20:02:09

Looks like it's just a possibility, right? It is it confirmed?

Either way, just talk to your son when the date of moving (if it comes to that) is confirmed - how you would keep in touch

You said your son has an adventurous spirit, so this seems something he would do, with or w/o dil

What does it have to do "treating dil as a member of your family" with your son's answer " it will work out"?

It is unrealistic that they would make your wants a big factor in their decisions

Bottom line: don't blame your dil for a decision your son is also taking

icanhandthemback Sat 22-Apr-23 19:53:15

I wouldn't even discuss this with my DIL's father but let my DIL know that I would support her in what she wanted to do if she felt it was the best for her. You may well find that she doesn't actually want to go anywhere but her father just wants somewhere to holiday if he has ants in his pants. Try not to feel rejected (difficult I know), if she feels this is the best thing for her child, it might be and nothing is written in stone. If she is a home body, she might find it harder to be away than her father thinks.

Princessjonsie Sat 22-Apr-23 19:47:25

Bit of background . I raised my son as a single mum . I worked hard to provide a nice life but it was by no means extravagant but he had everything he wanted and needed . . He has always be a child who wanted to travel and explore. He is now grown and met a wonderful girl from an amazing family. She is the complete opposite to him and is a home body . She has grown up in an entirely different environment to him . She had two parents , dad worked away abroad and earned a lot of money doing it . Her mum was a stay at home mum and she had three sisters . Nearly a year ago they had a beautiful baby and he is the apple of everyone eye. They moved closer to the two parents so she could have help while he worked . Now I’m aware girls migrate to their family etc but my issue is this . Her dad is encouraging them to live abroad like he did . He can open doors for him . Now sounds great but when I said how does she feel moving from her family he said “ oh it’s ok they are both retiring so they can come and stay for months at a time and her sisters will come and go so it won’t be any different for her . She won’t get homesick “. I said “ oh well I’m not sure I could come for months at a time or even afford to come very often” He just said Oh well it will work out . I don’t know how to feel about this . I try not to be a pushy grandparent and I don’t interfere, be in their faces , always ask before I go , never criticise or try and take over . Always ask how they would do it before I do anything with my grandson. I always think of her and treat her as a valuable member of the family but I fee I suppose rejected and unthought of . Advise please