Holy fucknuggets. It's really happening. The Big Bad Move to The Great White North.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

I am FREAKING out.

DH accepted a job today in our home country. We have told the kids. I have to tell work tomorrow.

He is starting in January. The DC and I will finish out the school year, sell the flat and follow.

Freaking out doesn't cover it actually. Fuck fuck fuck.

[Helenagrace]

We have moved around a lot for DH'S work. It's not as bad as you think it will be. How old are the children?

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

12 and 9. We used to move a lot but that was pre-DC.

[FruVikingessOla]

Oh Hearts! Oh my! I don't know what to say. Are you happy about it?

Oh and I've just seen, we'll have time for another piss-up before you go!

[FruVikingessOla]

Sorry - you're obviously freaking at the moment - but, once you've got your head around it will you be happy with the move? Is it back to your home town/city, or somewhere new for you?

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Great White North = Canada

Yes, back to my home town. The DDs will most likely end up at the high school I went to.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

I have the hugest mixed feelings about the whole thing. It is really very unnerving, especially now that we have started telling people. I don't know how I am going to manage everything we have to do in the next 6 months. I really don't.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

It is all very REAL all of a sudden, after being hypothetical for so long!

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Helena have you been on lovely expat contracts? Or going it alone? 9or military or some such?)

[PassiveAgressiveQueen]

Great White North = Canada

Oh so not scotland then

[iklboo]

Oooh very exciting. And daunting. And scary. But exciting!!! You & yours will be fine. I've always wanted to visit Canada. Now THERE'S an MN meet up to save for!

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

PAQ no but I love Scotland.

[BewitchedBotheredandBewildered]

Well it sounds like you've been wanting to do this for a while, so the shock is positive and exciting.

Bound to be daunting as well.

How did the girls react?

We'll be here for your wobbles and to help as much as we can.

And yes, Fru a major special piss up will be in order

[sad she's going but stiff upper whatsit an all that] sob!

[magimedi]

Wow!! That was quick for DH getting a job!

You'll manage - because you have to!

We are going to have to set a date for an enormous piss up before you vanish & then another one for a few years hence in Canada!!

[magimedi]

PS - You won't be 100% leaving, because you'll still be on Mumsnet

[Helenagrace]

hearts nothing so interesting unfortunately. DH is in a niche field in a niche profession. Any promotion has needed a big move. We've lived in the south west, the midlands, the north west, the south coast and now back in the midlands. We have to stay here now as DD is entering GCSE years but DH may end up working away. He has pointed out several times that his qualification is valid in Canada and that there are plenty of jobs in his field there. I wouldn't actually mind going if I'm honest.

[BewitchedBotheredandBewildered]

How you doing today Hearts?

Hope you got some sleep.

It will start to be properly real after a couple of days I would guess, and then you'l start to feel calmer.

I wouldn't bother to even think about everything you have to do until then.

Your mum must be over the moon that you're moving back.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

Our Internet is down at work so I am Mumsnetting from my phone which I hate.

I have told the chairman of our Board of Governors and the headmistress so now I can start telling my colleagues.

I am going back and forth between excited and feeling sick to my stomach TBH.

I am not sure how I'm going to survive without DH for 7 months.

[magimedi]

You will survive without DH - I've done it, though only 5 months. (Oddly enough he was in Canada!).

It's awful when they go but you just put your head down. You will be so busy with all the move related stuff you'll be fine. Will you & the DC go out there at Easter, or him come back for a week or so?

Your mother must be thrilled to bits - I really envy her, though mine are not so far away.

[Mummylin]

You will be fine "Hearts" and I expect you will be fine without Dh for a while. You can Skype each other and that won't make him seem so far away. Good luck when your move comes, and I'm sure you will still be part of the DBF team wherever you are.

[Vagabond]

Canada! How lucky. I went to high school in Canada (and England and elsewhere) and Canada was BY FAR the best experience.

Your children will be delighted. How lucky for you.

Your children will thank you for this. Sorry to bang on but high school in Canada is FUN and educational and you have so many opportunities to succeed without the bloody pressure of league tables and exams (what, are practice exams? I was 14 in England and like...."what is a mock exam....you can't go out and play because you're practicing for an exam"?) in the ridiculous British education system.

High school is for learning, exploring and discovering yourself. Get your kids on a skidoo and have fun! Best wishes to you!

[FruVikingessOla]

Hearts, once you get your head around it, at least you won't have a 'learning curve' when you move back to your home city.

And I was going to say what magi said, would there be a chance that DH can come back here over Easter - or you and your DC go over there over Easter?

It's suddenly struck me that you said in your OP that DC2 is now 9. I'm sure DC2 was about 5 when I first met you (and DC2) ..... where in Jiminy Cricket does the time go?

[BewitchedBotheredandBewildered]

That would be great to have a visit in the middle, either way, makes it much more manageable.

I'm sure DH will be there supporting you even if he's not physically present.

And I know this suggestion is sacrilegious, but do you have to stay to the end of the school year?
If they are leaving the school anyway maybe you could scuttle off early?

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

BBB I actually slept really well somewhat surprisingly and when I walked in from work DH said "You're smiling, what's going on??" So deep down I know I'm happy. I think you're right, one step at a time...

magi I might be coming to you for tips and pointers about long distance marriages! I think we will be ok. I hope. His parents did a lot of it e.g. his dad being posted to Cyprus for 6-8 months at a time, while DMIL was at home with a toddler and a baby.

I am hoping we can go there in Feb half term, then DH can come back here for a bit at Easter. it partly depends on when we list the flat. And how well I am wrapping up at work. I'm hoping I can go down to part time sooner rather than later.

Vagabond I love your positive comments. I really enjoyed my high school years there too. DD1 just started Year 7 in September and I already see the pressure starting.

Mummylin Skype is a lifesaver isn't it. I have Skyped my mum almost every night since DDad died.

I know right Fru it is crazy. We have been in London for 12 YEARS which is just bonkers. And when we move backk next summer it will be almost exactly 20 years since I left. I was only 26 then. Sigh.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

I think tonight when the kids are sorted I am going to start working on our ad for an au pair.