Geraldine

As a very independent kind of gal I know I could do it, not all wives are the same. The only question here is what does your wife think?If she has the remotest doubt that she could cope then do not do it. Having lived with a very unsettled child I know that would be my top priority. Some kids settle really easily some don't and it can't be predicted . Mine was the most enthusiastic in coming out and was also the most heartbroken when she realised we wouldn't be going back anytime soon. Thankfully she has turned a corner but it was easily more difficult than living apart for periods of time. Good luck in whatever you do

It's possible that if she has low self esteem that she agreed to live in Oz to please you not because it was in her heart. You sound like a really considerate husband and are lucky to be able to travel back to the UK so frequently. If the shoe was on the other foot I.e she had said if you want to marry me you have to live in the UK would you have done so ? There may or may not be more going on than any of us can know and it really might be worth speaking to a third party. You have nothing to loose by doing this and maybe lots to gain. A healthy family and a happy marriage is an incredible thing to have. I wish your family so much health, wealth and happiness in the future wherever you may live

Funny isn't it how the idea of ping ponging seems wrong….maybe we should re term it simply... travelling around the world (again). There is no right or wrong answer only the funds to facilitate a first world problem. Don't worry too much or put yourself under so much pressure about making the right decisions. Give yourself time to think about what you want to do. Only you know what is in your heart and what you are trying to achieve…the rest of us are guessing at it. Be kind to yourself and good luck with whatever decision you make.:biggrin:

There really is no right answer only the right one for your whole family. Such a huge move requires everyone to compromise and consider each other's view. I knew we would all be stronger as a family if we came together but I also knew that my 23 and 19 yr old could do what they wanted and I would have worked around that. The one who struggled was my 13yr old who had been the one who was initially most excited to come. My 10 yr old has fitted in very nicely and just recently my 13 yr old has turned a corner and has admitted she is settling in better. We came with the attitude of doing everything we could to make it work, so we have said yes to every invite, arranged get togethers at home. sleepovers etc.. I've even reluctantly allowed my 13 yr old to have a "gatho" at home with the whole class !!! Supervised by her big brothers who are stricter than me lol it's helping her enormously with fitting in. The only other thing I would say is that going to school even for a few weeks could be worth it. I have a friend who sent her son for the last few weeks of yr 12 and even in that short space of time he made friends and is loving his life over here. Good luck everyone on your adventure :biggrin:

Defineitly do it now. We applied for three renewals for the kids on 12th March £350.00. Sent them by courier to friend in UK for counter signing as only been in Oz just over a year. Friend sent them off to Durham recorded delivery, checked online two days later it showed they had been delivered. She binned the slip as thought she no longer needed it. Last week rang the helpline to check on the progress as son is due to go on a trip to Thailand on 18th May. You guessed it they cannot locate them, they are also unable to put you though to Durham which is the overseas passport office ( the only number you can ring is the helpline number) was promised they would get someone to ring me within 72 hrs......they didn't. Rang this Monday again can't put you through to Durham " as that's an x directory number" couldn't tell me what to do, i.e apply for a replacement . Finally on Wednesday we were contacted but was told without the recorded delivery slip it was going to be very difficult for them to locate the three passports. They are going to try as there is a backlog so it's possible they are there. So now we are advised to ring them on Monday if I haven't heard from them. So please don't be in our position in Oz with half the family without passports ..... I regret not making the effort when we went back at Christmas to do them all then. Sorting problems like this out from the other side of the world isn't a lot of fun. Good luck whatever you decide .....was good to get that off my chest :biggrin:

Such a difficult situation and I send lots of sympathy. Lots of excellent advice has already been given. Teenagers are a special category due to the changes they are undergoing. WE came out last March with a 22,18,12&9 yr old. Our eldest and 12 yr old where the most enthusiastic . My 18 and 9 yr were a bit more reluctant. We went back to the UK for Christmas and caught up with all our friends and family. So almost a year later…. 22&18 yr old boys would have got back on plane as soon as they touched down in Manchester and returned to Oz. My 12&9 yr old would go back to the UK in a heart beat. We had discussed this possibility before we arrived and as it turns out couldn't have predicted which ones would have struggled . Don't beat yourself up, you are doing the best you can for the whole family not one individual and in todays individualistic society that maybe the best lesson they ever learn. Best of luck. ps couple of folks I have met found themselves in exactly the same situation and a couple of years later their kids are doing a great…..we live in hope

We took a chance and it took 3-4 weeks and us subsidising the rent for the new tenant to the tune of $10 per week for the remainder of the contract. I was getting slightly nervous about how long it might take but the house we rent now is so fantastic that for us it was worth the risk. Not everyone is so fortunate and I completely understand that affording rent for two houses falls in the category of completely stupid. We did it, we've moved on. Good Luck with it all.

It's an interesting question and each of us have different experiences. I suppose in one way it's like moving house even within the same area or going back to the home you grew up in. The home I grew up in holds special memories but I don't want to go back. Nor do I want the first house I bought. The second however was very special to me and I'm unlikely to ever feel the same excitement as the day I put the keys in that front door. The third house, I couldn't wait to leave so wouldn't even bother driving past for memories sake. Our last home in the UK we still own and was where our youngest was born and the kids grew up. I'm trying to look at it as a business now it's rented out and indeed since our tennents put their XMAS dex up on 1st November it doesn't really look like mine anymore lol ! So when we go back to the UK at Christmas and visit old haunts and lovely family and friends I too will no doubt feel the pangs of recognition and the comfort of familiarity. I will try and accept this as part of the challenge of moving anywhere.....down the street, new area, new country etc... Be a citizen of the world and be proud of that. Hope you feel happy in your circumstances soon :smile:

Born and raised in Liverpool, lived in Southport on the coast about 20 miles north of Liverpool for the past 10 years. Been in Oz 3 weeks. I will have no hesitation in returning to see all my lovely family and friends at Christmas. Liverpool is a fab city, there are so many things to do and I love our scouse sense of humour . We tend to see the funny side of most things and always have the kettle on for a cuppa and a gossip. Like most cities, some parts need a bit of investment some have affluence written all over them. My eldest just finished uni there and had a brill time. Going to stop now otherwise I will start making myself homesick.