Leaving children's dad in the uk

[Old Coulsdon Poms]

We are looking to emigrate to Melbourne within the next year ( have started the process already) and are really excited about it but have a problem, we would be taking the kids away from their dad. We have had a holiday in Oz this year and had a good look around and loved it. The kids loved it too. They are 13 and 11. They see their dad once a week at weekends and a couple of hours during the week and were wondering how they will be with actually living in Oz and not seeing him on a regular basis. Is there anyone out there in a similar situation? I feel that we are the only people in this situation as I dont know anyone else who has done anything like this. It would be great to hear from you.

[moving2melbourne]

It's not that bad these days, get yourselves skype and a webcam they can chat every day. We chat more to our MIL now than what we did when we lived 10 miles down the road. Have them write to him weekly with different news and send lots of photos. I feel having a webcam has really helped us keep in touch with back home, in fact we chat so much that there isn't anything to say, we just sit there going err err. LOL

[crafty1]

Hi there,

I know exactly what you mean. i have 2 children but they were only 4 and 6 when we left the uk and 'daddy' behind. It may be more difficult for your kids as they are older and i presume they love their dad. My kids, now 5 and 7, 'talk' to their dad every sunday. they could phone more often if they wanted (he could also phone them!) But life in OZ is so amazing that we do more as a family than they have ever been used to and even though my kids miss their dad, their lives are so full it helps enormously. The worst thing by no comparison is my kids actually saying goodbye to daddy for the last time in the uk. That was hard but all you can do is support your kids through that and allow them to miss him. My ex can't turn a comp on let-a-lone work a webcam so that was a no go for us, but i find it helps me when i want to see my friends.

hope this is helpful

Melanie

[Stuju]

Originally Posted by Old Coulsdon Poms

We are looking to emigrate to Melbourne within the next year ( have started the process already) and are really excited about it but have a problem, we would be taking the kids away from their dad. We have had a holiday in Oz this year and had a good look around and loved it. The kids loved it too. They are 13 and 11. They see their dad once a week at weekends and a couple of hours during the week and were wondering how they will be with actually living in Oz and not seeing him on a regular basis. Is there anyone out there in a similar situation? I feel that we are the only people in this situation as I dont know anyone else who has done anything like this. It would be great to hear from you.

Hi, I think alot depends on what sort of relationship children have with their dads,
(sorry any single or divorced dads i am not trying to knock you) but you know what i mean alot of divorced dads like my ex don't really give a damm.
I have no worries with my 14 year old here in oz as she is over her real father and has been for a long time. I always said thou on moving to Oz if my daughter didnt want to be this far from her real father we would go back, but she has never mentioned it
All the best
stuju

[Old Coulsdon Poms]

Thanks everybody !