Hi,
When you have kids things change a lot, as you have found out. As someone who has two smallish children 6 and 2 and has spent the past 10 years in Australia with an Australian husband, I can honestly say (as quoll mentions) that bringing them up without family support is hard and you do need to be self sufficient and more than a bit tough. It can be lonely and hard work although I think this is true of all mums doing the majority of the parenting. However doing it on the other side of the world complicates it.
I would have a heart to heart with your family back home to see if/ how they would help you, because not all families want to look after kids etc. even if they are round the corner!
I also agree that the statement 'we are doing this for the kids future' etc, is a way of rationalising the reasons for coming. Making the parents feel better about something they actually decided for everyone.
It sounds to me like you have made you're mind up to go back, but are wobbling about what you may be giving up. I can relate to this, as Australia does have a wonderful outdoor lifestyle and a good standard of living. But the UK is not that bad, just different. I am trying to be realistic about what we will be giving up when we go back, but also remembering the pros.
Kellie, Australia is great but education and health standards are similar and not sufficient reasons to move. Many schools are tightly zoned and the hardest thing is house prices are astronomical making getting into a good school a question of money. Write down how many times you see family/ have help and note that in Australia that will not exist. Australia does offer an escape from the dreary English weather and endless motorways, but for most of us there is a cost. Loss of family closeness being the top one.
