Setting Sun...

maxwell silver · 16-02-2007, 21:55

Okay, your retired.Always thought of moving abroad but stayed in miserable Blighty to be near the offspring & grand kids.Then one day they turn & say "we're off".And so they move to the other side of the world,leaving you in GB.Would you think"might as well have done it myself","thats the last i'll see of them,may as well die".Remember,your in your 70's,a flight to the other side of the world is not something you take in your stride.Or would you be proud they've got off their arses & are trying to do something with their lives.

katex · 16-02-2007, 22:24

"If you love someone, let them go, for if they return, they were alway yours, and if they don't, they never were"

A child can never be yours for ever Maxwell.

WillowTheWhisp · 16-02-2007, 22:33

I would be proud of them for taking the opportunity but let them know that I'd be here for them if they decided to come back.

I had the opportunity to move abroad once but didn't go due to feeling responsible for an elderly parent. I wouldn't want to hold my children back in similar circumstances.

Anyway just because travel isn't necessarily a doddle for the parent in their 70s surely the kids can still come back to dear old Blighty for a visit?

cashman · 17-02-2007, 00:44

i did move abroad,loved it,only returned through circumstance, would not mind at all if kids n grandkid did it. if you move for a better life i personally think its great. end of the day there still my kids n love em no matter where they go,would obviously miss em,but would never wish em not to go on my account.

junetta · 17-02-2007, 02:02

It seems to me that it's the parents who seem to wander off to warmer climes these days, leaving the children behind.

When I left England, almost six years ago, both my children had happy marriages and I felt secure with that. Secure enough to leave them all.

Unfortunately, my daughter is now on her own and at times I do feel that I should be back there helping her. Thankfully, she's a survivor and coping so happen it's for the best in the end.

When we are all together again, it's wonderful.

lettie · 17-02-2007, 09:49

My dad has been trying to get me to move abroad for years. He is trying even harder now as he will retire in 5 years and wants somewhere nice to spend a few months at a time when he is no longer working. If I were to move it would be to Australia or New Zealand, so it's not just a quick, cheap flight over the Channel. I am confident that my family would be fine with it and that I would come back and visit as often as I could..

I can understand that some parents would be upset, especially when it comes to taking their grandchildren, but I think it is very selfish of the parent to try and stop their children moving for this reason.

When you look at the quality of life that we have in this country, working all the hours God sends to pay for people who point blank refuse to get off their arses and work. Being taxed to the hilt for everything and not being guarenteed a pension, being afraid to go out at night etc.....Surely, anyone in their right mind would want a better quality of life for their kids and grandkids..

cherokee · 17-02-2007, 15:29

If ever any of mine were to up sticks and move abroad i think once over the initial shock (and yes i would be upset ) i would be pleased to see them trying to better themselves and strong enough to feel the could do it in another country .

my eldest is often saying if/when he leaves the forces he would love to go and live abroad ,
im not going to be around forever so good luck to him

grego · 18-02-2007, 09:25

I think you have to support your family in whatever they wish to do, whether it be a parent, sibling or child, you only live once and should go for it if its the right thing for you. I think it'd be selfish of someone to try and stop them doing it.

lindsay ormerod · 18-02-2007, 18:09

My Mum was gonna go to live in Spain some time back but her husband died suddenly and she understandably didn't fancy it on her own. I was all up for her going but would have missed her like mad. Given the choice I would give it a go in Spain;I hate the weather here and I can't see asingle redeeming feature in Accrington! Plus my knees don't ache as much in sunnier weather !