Catarina

Thanks for your good wishes. Goodbye at the airport was quick and it was better that way. My son agreed too. Just arrived back in the UK and what a long journey. It really brings it home how far away he is.

Thank you so much x

At the airport saying goodbye to my son and won't see grandchild for 2 years accept on Skype. Feeling very sorry for myself. Will try and see the positives!

As a mother I was so enmeshed in my feelings of pain. I didn't acknowledge how my son was feeling really when he emigrated. He surely missed us and still does and must have felt guilty too. I don't want him to feel guilty cause that's not fair. Love for his girlfriend took him away, he didn't have a choice really. I don't feel he would have left otherwise. I'll be saying goodbye again later as we leave once again but I will be strong this time and think of him.

Thank you. Yes, you are right it is a mother's lot and I am proud of him truly but I suppose it's selfish but I'm human! We don't own our children either. I'm lucky to have been able to visit him a lot. I guess it will get easier.

Emotional implications of emigration My son emigrated in 2007 to Oz. I'm at the end of another visit (my 4th) after having a month here in Queensland. Me and my husband came to visit our first grandchild. When he first left for Oz with his Australian girlfriend, it didn't sink in really but when it did, the thought of not sharing his life anymore and missing him calling in to see us left a massive void. It's not unlike a "bereavement" because it's so final him not being here anymore. It hurt physically knowing that were not altogether as a family. His sister here has two children so he's missing out on their growing up too. He's just had a child too so we can't see her grow up. Every time I leave him, my throat hurts for not letting him see me upset but then I have to show him that's how I feel. I know he feels sad too when were gone but then when we return to the UK ,we relive our lives but the ache never leaves us. I guess that's how it will always be but we just have to learn to live with it. I'd love to know how other people cope with this experience.