Hi Joanne
This is my story,
I have been here 2 1/2 years now. My husband and I had very mixed emotions when we told our parents!! His parents both said `we dont want you to go but you have to do what you want to do. you only have 1 life!` Now having both been out here to see us his parents can see what a difference it has made to our life and both plead with us never to come home! They said we have such a good life here.
When I told my parents it was very mixed emotions. My Dad is a matter of fact man and whatever we wanted to do then so be it. Deep down he really wasnt sure that we would do it! He actually said that to us after we had left. My Dad sent me the most gorgeous email that I collected in the internet cafe at Heathrow Airport! We went through to Departures bawling our eyes out!
As far as my Mum , I was living the dream that she always wanted to do. She found it very very hard to think about what we were doing and would not talk about it , to us or any visitors! We had to prep visitors before we got there to say `dont mention australia`.
After a while she realised that we were going to go anyway no matter what anyone said!! She then began to get involved in what was happening. We were happy to send both sets of parents any information that we could to try and reassure them that we were doing this and doing it right!!
They will come round! Mine did! The hardest part is telling relatives. I have an aunt and uncle and three cousins (all boys of 11,12,13 when we left!). Our last night with them was terribly hard! I had to tell my Nan and say goodbye knowing that I may never see her again. I actually didnt see her again as she died after we had been here 18 months.
Once you are here and settled it will be good. Involve parents in your emails, letters that you get. Show them emails of houses you want to look at, areas you want to live in. It will all work out! It will work out! They will come round and no matter what they are parents and they will always love and respect you! Once they see what a great quality of life you will have they will understand. My parents have put in their CPV application and all fingers crossed that they will be out next year for good!
All I can say is they will come round, life will get better. They will understand. Try not to leave on a bad note though as I always say, you never know whats round the corner!!!!
Hope party goes well, we are in Brissie so if you want someone to meet up with when u r here????
Im 35 and a nurse, OH 43 and bus driver.