How to cope when a child emigrates

20400keith

You have my sympathies - a great opportunity for your daughter and grandchildren but an awful consequence for you. However, a few thoughts...

If you can't fly to them, could you afford to financially assist them visiting you occasionally? Or how about starting a 'visit to England' fund so that when your grandchildren are teenagers they can visit you without their parents?

In addition to skype and webcams, don't forget the post. Nothing like receiving a well crafted letter - and sometimes it's easier to put how you feel in words rather than say it in person... but always be positive about how happy you are for them making the most of their lives.

Make sure you have some fantastic photos of them - and they of you.

Exchange memory books with your daughter each year - a nice book in which you put significant items (photos, tickets, menus, pressed flowers etc) and write a few words to explain why they meant a lot. Every time you both do anything you'll be thinking about getting something to stick in the book, and this will help you share experiences and keep you in the forefront of each other's minds.

And I'm sure you wont, but don't forget your other children. Adult siblings can get jealous when one gets more attention than the others.

Finally, go on Ebay, Buy a couple of boomerangs and have a great day with your grandchildren learning to throw them - don't let worry about the future ruin the present.

[Deleted User]

lovely ideas, thank you 2040keith

I must admit that we are psychologically sorted now and we absolutely and unconditionally support them. They have been doing a lot of background work re getting themselves `together` ie selling stuff on ebay and dsil has given notice (teacher). Dd has been getting psychological grief from her manipulative mil. That is so unfair, she is my age and has to let go, instead she accuses dd of selfishness. Grhhh

We have offered help if needed in whatever way