Anyone else missing family abroad?

BugglyB

My mum and dad live half way across the world and so does my sister (in a different place) and so does my cousin who I'm really close to (in another different place!)

This morning I'm really missing them for some reason. See my sis and mum and dad once or twice a year, this will be the first christmas we wont all be together.

We do skype and email and talk on the phone a lot, but sometimes I just long to pop over for a cuppa! anyone else feel like this? It doesnt help that none of my friends are in this position - they are all envious because of my holidays - but sometimes I would like to use my annual leave for other things than visiting family!

Nimeth

*raises hand*

Yep, I'm in the same situation as you BugglyB. All of my family live in the US. I saw my parents in May when they came to Switzerland for a law conference because those were the only plane tickets I could afford. I haven't been back to the US to see the rest of my family in nearly 3 years.:(

I'm missing seeing my nephews grow up and that really gets to me sometimes.

gingin_2

It's not quite as bad for me as my parents are here but other than that almost everyone I grew up with lives in Australia and New Zealand. Best friend/cousin, brother, all of OH's family ( I am married to a Kiwi) 5 nieces and nephews and 3 honourary ones all under 8, that we don't get to see. We are a family of 4 now so flights alone in school holidays would cost us around £5000, not to including having to fly between North and South Island of New Zealand and Australia, just to see everyone.

euronorris

BugglyB wrote: »

My mum and dad live half way across the world and so does my sister (in a different place) and so does my cousin who I'm really close to (in another different place!)

This morning I'm really missing them for some reason. See my sis and mum and dad once or twice a year, this will be the first christmas we wont all be together.

We do skype and email and talk on the phone a lot, but sometimes I just long to pop over for a cuppa! anyone else feel like this? It doesnt help that none of my friends are in this position - they are all envious because of my holidays - but sometimes I would like to use my annual leave for other things than visiting family!

Yes, all the time and I agree with everything in your post completely!

I'm fortunate in that I get to see them more often, as flights from here to UK (and vice versa) aren't all that expensive these days, but still, like you, sometimes I just want to pop over to their house and I can't.

I haven't had a proper holiday since 2008 because of this. We attempted one this year, but it was in the UK and we ended up visiting OH's family a lot more than we planned. I'd quite like to just lie in the sun, by a pool for a week or so. That'd be lovely!

skylight

Mum lives around the corner, but Dad and my Nan (and stepmum) now live in Spain. Which isn't too bad but still not poppable!

I cried my eyes out when it was confirmed that he really was moving. I couldn't believe he would leave really. But they do have a much better quality of life there and I keep telling my kids that. It's his life and he can chose to do what he wants with it. Although I get a bit bitter!

He comes over every 2/3 months or so and we try to get out there for a longer holiday once a year. Plus I talk to him almost every day and we MSN/Skype face to face often. So in that respect its not much worse than if he had moved up north I guess!

The last couple of years have been horrible in parts and all I need is a hug from my cool-headed and sensible Dad. And I typing this getting blurry eyed over it. Still - he's coming over for a 3wk visit as of this Friday so its something to look forward to.

Lotus-eater

Almost all our school and work holidays are used up in one way or another by our family in Europe.

I must admit though, I don't worry about it, or hate it, it's just the way it is, we don't have to go, or receive people staying with us. We do it because we like to do it.

We miss them alot, but we have the choice of where to live.

purple45

I think sometimes it can just get to you, maybe if you've got stuff on your mind thats getting you down. My sister and mum live abroad. Most of the time its fine and we're emailing all the time. Sometimes I have this real self pity thing where I have a little cry ;-) Its not often, but it does happen. Also its hard when my sister is having a rough patch and I want to look after her!

I think you need to make some good exciting plans for Christmas so that you have something to look forward to and take your mind off this. My Christmas is never a family event. Its hibernating for a few days with the other half, watching great films and eating curry! Hopefully you can come up with a good masterplan to be happy.

Mupette

My parents moved to France a few years ago, we didnt have a good relationship, its better now they are so far away, but i do miss them, and rarely see them down to money.

BugglyB

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes I do think we have a better relationship than some that live in each others pockets, because we don't take each other for granted, and when we do see each other we don't argue over petty things, because we appreciate the time we have. And I am grateful for that.

Nimeth, I dread my sister and her husband having kids, and being so far away from them, the thought of her being pregnant and giving birth without me there to cluck over her!

Yes like you guys say most of the time its great its just sometimes I do have a little upset and think its not fair, and then I get a bit upset. Generally its when they/I leave to go back, or on big things like birthdays etc.

Purple45, my OH family have offered for me to go there for Christmas, I feel mixed about it, I love them so much but they have their own traditions and are a close family themselves, so I dont know if it will make it worse. OH is very supportive and knows I will be feeling a bit weepy so says he will have some surprises up his sleeve and make it an extra special day. I like your wording 'a good masterplan to be happy'

euronorris

As for Christmas, I will be spending it without the family this year.

The last two years, I have battled snow and flight cancellations and delays to see them at or around Christmas, and to be honest it's exhausting. I love them, and I want to spend Christmas with them, but I can't face a 3rd year of that (the 1st year the snow was so bad I didn't make it back, and it broke my heart to be let down at the last minute like that). So, OH and I are staying at home together. We would love to have them here, but our apt is barely bigger than a studio so we just don't have the room for more than one person at a time (who has to sleep on the couch as there's nowhere else for them). Usually, OH pays for his brother to come over at Christmas and/or New Year's but that is looking less and less likely this year.

Lotus-eater

euronorris wrote: »

As for Christmas, I will be spending it without the family this year.

The last two years, I have battled snow and flight cancellations and delays to see them at or around Christmas

We usually spend St Nicholas in the Netherlands and last year we almost got completely stuck with the snow!
We're over again this year, I hope it isn't so bad.

Not really, I love it snow can be as deep as it likes