to think my mum should let my dad go on holiday?

[peeweewee]

My Mum hates travelling and always made a fuss about family holidays when I was growing up. She now sadly suffers badly from rheumatoid arthritis and needs my dad to help do things around the house for her (eg she struggles to walk very far at all).

My parents are both from Europe even though they live in Australia. My dad is approaching 80 and would love to go to Europe to visit his brothers and sisters (due to age two of them died last year). Mum simply won't let him go - emotional blackmail techniques. She makes it out that he would be abandoning her to go, even for a fortnight.

I have even offered to fly back to Australia to look after her while dad goes to Europe, but she won't have it. It has to be Dad or no-one.

I asked Dad why he doesn't just put his foot down and he says he thinks it would destroy his marriage. I applaud him for sticking by his principles but I'm furious with my mother!!!

I think your mum should let him, shes being unreasonable trying to control him but at 80 I'm not sure how you'd solve this one. your dad has to decide for himself and if he wants to stick by your mum then theres nowt anyone can do.
My folks r very similar, my mum doesnt like flying so they havent been abroad since i was a kid, i know my dad would love to travel but not enough to stand up to my mum and tell her, he just shrugs and says she wont go and thats it.