ArleneW

Yes he said he will pay the fares. Just waiting on the british passports to come back so I can book the tickets

Hi AJ and thanks. I live in Joondalup but don't know anybody here. I just dont see the point in trying to stay here and struggle alone when I can be near family. He is making good money but only paying us the bare minimum which barely covers rent. He is encouraging us to go and make a better life for ourselves. I have a feeling he is thinking of going back to South Africa (where he is originally from) so am worried if he does that I'm stuck here with nothing and no way to get out and then it's too late for kids schooling etc.

Yes he said he's okay with it. I saw a lawyer who is preparing the forms to be signed giving me permission. He'll sign anything except if it has to do with paying child support. But as long as I get my kids first I will worry about the money later

Thanks Marisawright Guess I just need to hear my kids will be okay. I could go back to where I was recently but again, I only had 1 friend there. I would still be financially unstable and my support in Scotland is bigger - mum, dad, sister & nephews. Plus I have this added worry of how I will afford my kids university etc. I know if I go back now, they will have had 4 years in Scotland and uni is much cheaper for me. I don't think their dad is going to be very supportive financially. I went to centerlink for help and they said they can pay me $400 a week or thereabouts but that doesn't even cover my rent. Living here is getting harder by the day. I think my head is telling me to go home but it's just my kids I'm worrying about

Okay, my situation is a bit dire at the moment. I moved here with husband and 2 kids 11 years ago. I was happy in Scotland but husband insisted we move. Don't get me wrong I loved it in Australia. Until now My husband has left us and my health has deteriorated. My stress levels are through the roof, panic attacks all day and night etc. To be perfectly honest I'm a trainwreck. He is doing FIFO at the moment (4 weeks on 1 week off) so we're used to not having him around so I don't think it's him that's making me ill. It's the thought of staying in Australia on my own with 2 kids. I have 1 friend here who lives 3 hours away (we just relocated). Money is extremely tight. He's paying me the bare minimum and I'm renting at the moment. I honestly can't afford to live here and have been looking for work for months and can't find anything. Now I don't think I'd even be capable of working until I get my stress in check. He said he will give me permission to take my kids back to Scotland because he can't support us here due to his job being so unpredictable. Although he is working now, it took him 8 months to find this job and we used up all our savings during that time. So I keep wondering if he loses this job, how on earth would we live without support? I have a little savings and I don't want to have to use it all up again. I want to go home to my family in Scotland for support. They would help me and the kids and I could use my small savings to rent a place for a few months until I find a job. I feel like it's the right move since I have nobody here and financial worries. But I'm worried about going back with 2 13year olds. They're not as worldly wise as I remember the Scottish kids their age. Will they be okay? I'm making myself sick trying to do what's right for the kids, but also what's right for me. Their dad was never much of a dad to them in that he never spent time with them. He phones them every 3 days and they chat for a minute or two. He has nothing to say. He could certainly visit them whenever he wanted. My brain is in turmoil. Has anyone gone back to the UK alone with teenagers trying to start over? I'm in my 40s now and I am terrified by everything right now. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks:arghh:

Thank you Appreciate everyone's advice. Very happy to hear "nowandthen" that it look so quick to get your passports. I've just got all the forms sorted by countersignatory and will be posting them off express tomorrow. Fingers crossed I'll be back with my family soon but will be sad to leave Australia

I need to leave urgently as we have been left with nothing and to be perfectly honest I'm on the verge of a breakdown. My family are all in the UK ready to help us. Here I know not a living soul as I just moved to Perth a month ago although I lived elsewhere for 10 years. I've heard you can leave Oz on Australian passport and the UK will just stamp your passport with a 6 month visa. But with a one way ticket I don't see them doing that. Just wondered if I have to buy a return ticket and then get my UK passports once I arrive. Then panicking they'll make me leave the country. Too much drama in my life right now. Can't believe I let the UK passports expire

Hi anyone who can help please. I need to take my kids back to the UK (hubby of 20 years has walked out on us). He is signing permission to take the kids so that's not a worry. Problem is our UK passports expired. We have valid Australian passports. Can I return on my Oz passport? Does that mean I need to buy a return ticket I have completed all the paperwork for new UK passports but can't wait incase they are delayed. They say about 4 weeks and time for postage back and forth but I'm too scared it takes longer. Any help here would be appreciated thanks.