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:

Feel for you, kids dont ya love em....not sure how old your eldest son is but can understand how it makes your decision more difficult. Hope you can find a solution, living in London may mean your kids are more likely to meet someone from abroad and could move away in the future anyway. My eldest met a California gal on holiday in the middle of the Mediterranean. It didn't last but it reminded me that anything can happen in life and I have to be prepared for that. A happy mum is a wonderful thing to return to. Kids leave anyway, I bet they would rather visit their happy mum rather than an unhappy one wherever you all are. Really hope it all works out for you and your family :smile:

Life was good in UK and its good here in Oz, Im aiming to be a citizen of both countries and make the most of the fact that our family is extremely lucky to be able to call either country home. More than that, we are not trapped and can go back to the UK should we wish to. I am grateful for that flexibility. So we will have Xmas this year in UK with cosy fires, roast dinners and all our extended family and fab friends. Then will return to the warmth of a lingering sun, BBQs at the beach with our lovely friends we have made in Oz to have a warm January birthday for the first time in 43 years ! :biggrin:

Quite simply, If you have the right to work in the UK it seems odd that certain jobs would be excluded to you. Its a job after all. Why that rule for England but not our local sides ? Im delighted that a belgian is now playing up front for us. COYBS :biggrin:

Same as Rupert, tea at home (yorkshire tea) and mostly a coffee when out. Had an expensive coffee machine in the UK was a total waste of money for us. Have had a local coffee shop grind the beans that I like and used it with a cafetiere wasn't bad for a cheaper option. So happy I can get my yorkshire tea in Oz it might have been a deal breaker:laugh:

Marks& Spencer free delivery, John Lewis tends to be by weight. Debenhams as mentioned. Haven't used NEXT Australia yet so not sure of charges. Ordered Fitflops from a UK site but was told they couldn't be shipped. Ordered three pairs off another for $16 delivery and saved a Kings Ransom on the cost of buying them here. I even haggle for big ticket items in the shops based on how much I can get it for in the UK x exchange rate+ shipping.

Hi panicp, we brought our Q7 and BMW 1 series over both of them 4-5 years old. Used Shannon's insurance pay $88.58 for the BMW which includes both my 18 and 22 yr old sons being able to drive it. We pay $68.31 for the Q7 for me and OH to drive. Don't forget the separate insurance that has to be paid for each car for third party insurance (CTP) which off the top of my head was around $350 for each car. So in all about £70 per month for my BMW, the fact that I could even insure my sons on my car has been fantastic. My poor 18 yr old niece has just passed her test in the UK and to get insured on my mums fiesta has been quoted £5k....ouch. Good luck.

Hi Wokos, ask your GP for a computer summary only and it should be £10.00 each. Good Luck ..

Brill, update really made me chuckle, good luck in your new job

I have seen this advertised but not sure who offers it, lets us all know if you hear anything more about it.

Same as AJ been on thyroxine for 20 yrs. of course in the UK it was free due to it being one of the very few medical conditions that attract free scripts for anything you need. Here in Oz it's easy to get a prescription, I brought a copy of my medical records with me. My GP did some blood tests just so he had Ozzy reference ranges. The big difference is that thyroxine over here has to be kept in the fridge and taken on an empty stomach. So my routine has changed overnight. I now take it fist thing in the morning as I wake as the rest of the time my stomach is rarely empty lol.. Your wife will be fine over here getting her meds, good luck.

I totally agree, the shocking price of the uniform whether its public or private is certainly one of those things that is much more expensive over here. We are unexpectedly moving house after just one term and the girls will change school, in one term my 10&13 yr old lost 1x bucket hat, 1 x blazer, 1 x laptop (thankfully they turned up as it was over $100 just for the blazer) maybe the schools make money out of the uniform and if so perhaps that is benefiting my kids. However when you have been able to buy a school skirt in M&S for £9.00 it is a bit hard to swallow. One tip is to check if they have a second hand uniform shop. I wasn't told and didn't think to ask. Now I know better and my kids can lump it or leave it, if they have the item in the second hand shop and it is clean and fits then that's what I will be buying. Good luck

Hey Laura, I've admired your attitude and determination from your posts. You deserve every success that is likely to come your way

How exciting for you all, I'm sure you will make a success of it, good luck

Delighted that mum and baby are well. Been up since the news was announced and it will make me smile all day. :biggrin:

Woo hoo, UK sky news on since the news broke, very excited . Wishing her well and a safe arrival of the baby.

OOh I havent spotted walkers anywhere yet, mind you crisps are my personal addiction, oh and tea, so don't tell me where I can buy them :laugh:

i certainly did, I like to try most food at least once...hence I'm now on the fast diet !!