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Living overseas

wedding dilemma Question, for folk far from family

7 replies

lljkk · 24/04/2016 20:34

I live in UK but grew up 8 time zones away.
Large extended family, all back there, I've very fond of but not truly close to, iyswim.
I have missed many family events in last 16 years since I started having DC.
Now invited (back there) to a cousin's wedding, in 10 weeks.
I am sure it will be a splendid fabulous shindig fun wedding.
Costs are cheap enough once I'm there, but flight+travel will cost £1000.
Realistically I can only go for one week.
Possibly I could take (ingrate feckless... polite, needs to be out of his comfort zone, can be fun) eldest teenager with me. Not other DC. Other DC will be ok about that, I reckon. So that's £2000, a single months' salary for me.
Teenager & I may both be bored unless we start spending more money...
DH has said he's ok about me going (he can juggle other kids).
I suppose I "can" afford it. But it's a shedload of money for 7 days.
I hate spending money. Though I know it's only money.

Would you go?

OP posts:
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Hassled · 24/04/2016 20:41

Is it a shedload of money you actually have spare sat in a bank account somewhere waiting for a rainy day? Or is this going to leave you skint for ages?

I like the idea of you and feckless teenage son having some quality time together and him seeing your family properly - I've been very aware recently that our family holidays will die a death in the next few years as the kids all move on and up, so am in the "grab what opportunities you can while you have the chance" camp. Your DS will be doing his own thing soon enough. So go for it, but not if that means you'll be eating gruel for the rest of the year.

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Laptopwieldingharpy · 25/04/2016 07:25

Great advice from hassled.
If you can afford a splurge, i can't think of a better way to spend it!

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OllyBJolly · 25/04/2016 07:28

It might be the only opportunity ever to see some of the family. It will be a lovely experience for you and your son. It will create some fabulous memories - well worth a couple of grand.

Go!

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BlossomMagic · 25/04/2016 08:11

I know it's not the same but I did this with my 5yo for a wedding recently. She also needs to be entertained and has some other qualities in common with your son Smile

It was so worth it. With only one child with you, you have so much more time to talk to people, than if you're making sure the whole rest of the family is ok. And people there get to know that child better too. Also it was a real bonding experience for the two of us.

I had to do a 7 day trip home for a funeral too. It would be much better to spend the money on enjoying a happy occasion.

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Drinksforeveryone · 25/04/2016 08:16

I would do it.

Money spent on travel is always a good thing - much more valuable than buying shoes or cars etc.

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lljkk · 25/04/2016 08:56

ok, thank you!
No, we won't eat gruel. :)

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Laptopwieldingharpy · 25/04/2016 13:34

Happy holidays!

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