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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to move abroad and leave my grown up family behind?

140 replies

wheatfreetoast · 14/08/2013 23:21

my son is in his 30's married with one child, he had a second child who sadly died and a third on the way.

reasons for wanting to move are, my dh lost his dad recently, and his mother is quite unwell, dh's brother does nothing to help out with with dh's mum, so it all falls on us.

we have a holiday home abroad that tbh we cannot really afford, and renting the house we own here in the uk would give us more money,which would make our lives more comfortable

my ds is an only child

OP posts:
Jan49 · 15/08/2013 13:34

I'm guessing that this is a reverse AIBU.Hmm

I wouldn't go abroad away from family unless I was OK with knowing my relationship with them would be very different as a result, particularly if there are young dc. I have nieces and nephews abroad as I have 2 siblings who moved away from the UK in their early 20s and have lives and families in other countries. As a result I have almost no relationship with my nieces and nephews, not even a common language as they've not been brought up bilingually. I'm really sorry about that.

I can understand that sometimes people choose to start a new life in another country. But if you leave extended family behind, you can't do that without consequences. One of my siblings is out of contact and the other regrets having moved abroad but her whole life is there now. You can keep up a relationship with adult relatives but it's much harder when there are small dc that you never had the chance to have a relationship with before you or they moved. I wouldn't choose to move abroad leaving an adult child in the UK. I'd want a closer relationship than is manageable at a long distance.

Lasvegas · 15/08/2013 13:36

finances permitting i plan when DD is 18 yrs old. To buy a second home some where warmer and do a compressed work week and spend lots of long weekends there. when DD is 30 years old i will retire and spend 2/3 of the year in my second home. This is the plan, but maybe I won't carry it out if i end up with Grandkids.

MysteriousHamster · 15/08/2013 13:36

Is your bereaved son going to end up caring for MIL now?

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 15/08/2013 13:37

My Dsis fucked off to Spain when my mum was dying as she couldn't cope with it. I stuck it out and stayed with her till her last breath. 3 years on, one of us is having to have counselling to deal with it.....and it ain't me!

Actions have consequences and as long as you can deal with those then all well and good!

lunar1 · 15/08/2013 13:38

with an attitude like yours i guess your family wont miss you. I just cant imagine abandoning my MIL in that situation or leaving my son and his family while they are going through so much.

How will you afford to live if neither of you work? what income do you have now?

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 15/08/2013 13:40

Betty - why's she being selfish to the detriment of her own children? Most threads on here talk about entitled adult children expecting their parents to help out with childcare etc. And those threads always end with people being told that grandparents have done their bit and are entitled to their own lives. Interesting that this has been switched here.

A lot of expats I know don't keep a spare room or two on the off chance that relatives come to stay, so again, I don't see what the OP is doing wrong. It would have been the same if she'd downsized in the UK. Or if she had a smaller house in the first place.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 15/08/2013 13:48

Wibbly I struggled massively when my mum and dad moved to Spain.....god knows how I would have felt if I had recently lost a child. Mind you, in that situation they wouldn't have gone. Still, we don't know how close they are. OP said that she wouldn't be pestering them to stay (or something like that) so maybe they aren't that close anyway.

Doodlecockaquack · 15/08/2013 14:02

Why do people see a loving family as such a chore, rather than a blessing? Yes, I agree that everyone is entitled to their own life and to be happy, but I can't understand people who supposedly find that happiness by cutting off the people they claim to love.

No, the OP is not technically obliged to care for her mil, and yes, it sounds as if mil's two sons are just as bad, but OP is asking is she herself is bu. Perhaps mil was uncaring herself and is now reaping what she has sown, we don't know. But, but, I could never personally act with such a lack of empathy for others, and yes duty- to mil but more importantly to her DS.

I've come to realise that this is the way some families work though, and some individuals, and it has upsets me when people in my family have acted completely selfishly in the past. That is their right and the rest of us have to live with it, but it doesn't mean it's not very sad, or that you won't be judged for it.

If this is the way your family works OP and you won't mind if you are passed around similarly in old age and seen as a burden to your family, then build yourself a new life elsewhere and I wish you luck and happiness.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 15/08/2013 14:04

Couple of points.

  1. I have been that parent who lost a baby (stillborn at 41 weeks). The subsequent pregnancy was incredibly hard. DH and I both needed a lot of support. Also, our parents were almost as worried about a good outcome as we were.
  1. DH's parents have moved the length of England away from us since then. It was a long-cherished plan of theirs, and we don't have any right to object. However, it makes visiting very difficult. They moan about not seeing enough of DD. We hate driving for 10 hours to visit them. We don't have the cash for flights - it's not very cheap as they are not near a major city. When we go, we have to stay for a week to make the journey worthwhile, which is stressful. They do have room for us and vice-versa, though. They have recently acknowledged that when one of them dies, the other will probably want to move nearer to either us or BIL (although they are only in early 60s and in good health). They constantly tell us that if we need them, they'll be there, but let's face it, it takes them a day's driving to reach us. Little everyday problems like DD being off nursery for a bug aren't something we can ask for help with.
Doodlecockaquack · 15/08/2013 14:05

*in my extended family (re elderly relatives, among other things fwiw).

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 15/08/2013 14:09

Betty - I'm not saying it might not be hard. But like you said, it does depend how close people are both emotionally and in terms of geography initially. As I said above, we used to live 5 hours from family in the UK anyway, so the parents spending a lot of time in Europe didn't really have any effect on journey times - we just went somewhere different to visit!

Losing the second child/grandchild must have been absolutely devastating for everyone - I can't begin to imagine. I wonder if there's more backstory here?

I guess I'm trying to say that 'abroad' doesn't have to mean so far away really - especially in the age of budget airlines, Skype and so on (though perhaps its harder if you're used to living right around the corner from grandparents - this has never been the case for us). Since she retired, my DM has had a whale of a time visiting her adult children across the globe - she hadn't been on a long haul flight before then. Now she does Heathrow and various other European airports like a pro - and is flying over to us for the birth of DC2 in a few months' time.

wheatfreetoast · 15/08/2013 14:35

yes, you guessed it, this is a reverse aibu.

I am the wife of the ds.

just wanted to see what people views are from a different perspective

when they told us there were going, they said, oh we are gonna get a web camHmm
wow big deal
they have been for three months at a time before, and they usually send me emails, with 20 questions, asking what dc1 is upto etc

i do feel they are being very selfish, but really what can you do or say
they have openly admitted it because they don't want to get lumbered with fil's mum
and that fil brother is not doing enough and that's part of the reason to go
tbh imo they don't really do much for fil mum anyway.
they do a massive internet shop once a month
woo wee
which just really over fills her tiny kitchen
they don't do any regular childcare or help out and are of no emotional support at all, but if the odd day i was ill or something at least its someone to call, but i suppose other than that, its no loss really
and we have my family to help

i kinda feel like say off you fuck then
don't bother emailing me, as i won't be emailing you back

i suppose i'm pissed off they have been no support to dh.
but that's just how they are, fundamentally selfish fuckers

OP posts:
DontActuallyLikePrunes · 15/08/2013 14:38

Sad How does your dh feel?

wheatfreetoast · 15/08/2013 14:41

dh says they are emotially repressed
he said he can't understand why they are moving abroad, because if it was him having a new grandchild he would want to be around and be involved
they have never really been there for him, so i think hes sort of used to that now

OP posts:
dreamingbohemian · 15/08/2013 14:46

I'm glad the thread has confirmed your take on things, for the most part

Even if you can't openly say 'off you fuck' at least think it mentally. And know that in many ways they will probably be worse off under their plan, and leave them to it.

I'm sorry about your DC. I'm glad your own family is there for you.

MysteriousHamster · 15/08/2013 14:48

Sorry for your loss OP and also I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well.

I would just write them off pretty much after that behaviour.

SilverOldie · 15/08/2013 14:51

OP I don't think YABU or selfish. You have medical problems that would be eased by living in a presumably warmer climate and can make more money by renting out your house.

Re your MIL, can she not go into sheltered accommodation as I don't see your BIL stepping up in your absence.

Of course DS and DIL are devastated about the loss of their second child as no doubt were you. You can still support them and no doubt both you and they can visit.

I think you should go.

SilverOldie · 15/08/2013 14:53

OK forget my message but I still don't think they are selfish and I hate reverse AIBUs.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/08/2013 14:56

Much as I hate reverse AIBU I feel for you. So sorry about your second child. Thanks I hope everything goes well with your new LO.

Lasvegas · 15/08/2013 15:00

Wheat, i would say it is up to your DH to facilitate a relationship between his parents and kids, either email, skype or visits. If they email you for up-dates just write back, I am too busy raising 2 kids so if you have questions pls ask your son.

Jan49 · 15/08/2013 15:10

Sorry to hear this, OP.

My ex-in-laws did something similar, though they didn't move abroad. About 15 years ago my then h got a promotion which involved moving to a city where his parents lived, so he and I and our 6 y.o. ds moved. I thought it would be good for our ds to see his gps more. We used to see them 3 or 4 times a year before that. I knew they planned to move away from the city once MIL retired but she was a few years from that point. To my astonishment, just after we announced our plans to move to their city, they said they would be carrying out their retirement plan of selling their home and moving away. They appeared not even to consider the fact that we were about to move near them. Eventually I pointed this out to them as I was amazed that they weren't considering this, but they couldn't see why it would make a difference, as they said we could still meet 3 or 4 times a year. They moved away 3 months after we moved there. They'd lived in that city for 60 years. It baffles me. I don't understand people who think like that. It's as if they have a category in their head that says "see grandchildren 4 x annual" and can't imagine why anyone would want to see gc more than that.Sad

Doodlecockaquack · 15/08/2013 15:25

OP, I'm so sorry about your baby and your difficult situation here, and so glad you turned out not to be the self-absorbed individual I initially had you down as Smile.

You can't do anything other than let them go without further comment, but I wouldn't be putting much personal effort into keeping them updated. Good luck x

DontmindifIdo · 15/08/2013 15:27

ok, well I think the problem with reverse AIBU as you never really put it from their point of view, you put it from your own as you wish they saw it.

Look at it from their point of view more - your SFIL has a holiday home he can't sell, right now it's sat empty for the bulk of the year, yet they prefer being there than in the UK. It might well have always been their dream to one day live there, have they talked about that in the past?

His father has recently died after a long illness and he's realised that he's probably only got a short time of good health left - if they are going to go to live in the other country, it could well be they've realised it's now or never. While your next child is his step son's child, that doesn't mean he's going to be as caring as if it was his own. Did your MIL get together with SFIL when your DH was young?

Meanwhile, your MIL is facing looking after her elderly MIL who has the money for a home but doesn't want to go in one. Her BIL doesn't do anything because his SIL doesn't work, yet she doesn't work due to her own ill health - even if they don't do much for GMIL, doesn't mean they aren't feeling the pressure to step up and do more and are aware if they stay it will fall to them.

Possibly she is also aware that if she wants to live overseas, she's probably got an even smaller window of opportunity to do it than her DH before she's too ill. Plus her DH is grieving and it's very easy to agree to do something like this to "fix" his hurt without thinking that she'll miss her DGC growing up. Even if your SGF's death was expected and more of a relief, it doesn't follow that his son isn't upset.

In at way at least, they are doing it in a most sensible way, by renting out, not selling their UK home, they can easily reverse this if it turns out to be a hideous mistake. They can trial it for 6 months then change their minds. This way, they'll be going out just at the worst time, winter when the other holiday home owners aren't around, there's not the same English community, they will see the realities of living overseas, not just being on a long holiday quickly going at this time of year.

For you, as her DIL, you need to think about what you are and are not prepared to do, I'd laying on the table now with your DH and his family, you are not in a position to take over looking after his Step-grandmother. If she needs someone to look after more than her carers are doing, then she needs to go in a home. Be blunt - it's your DH's step father's family, you can't be expected to do it. If no one is, call social services, but don't just step in and take over, because once you do, it'll become your problem and your DH's step-Uncle will never step up, and your MIL/SFIL won't feel there's anything they are needed to do.

you know they aren't people you could rely on anyway, they don't seem to really want to be involved in your DC's lives (not all grandparents want to be, not every likes spending time with small children/babies - it's not a popular position so often the 'not interested' people feel they have to fake an interest). So it's not like you are going to be missing anything.

Make it clear that you will not be able to have them stay for the first year after DC3 arrives, be quite blunt about this too - they have the money from the rental of their UK home, they can afford a B&B.

It might be worth for you seeing the positives in this situation - they've removed themselves from the various family situations in which you'd have to factor them in while secretly knowing they wouldn't be a help. IMO them being gone is just going to be easier than getting frusterated at people not being helpful when you think they should be and they could be, now they can't be you won't find their lack of help/support as hurtful.

DontmindifIdo · 15/08/2013 15:27

oh, sorry about mamouth post!

JessieMcJessie · 15/08/2013 15:44

OP, could you not have just posted a straightforward "AIBU to be annoyed that my MIL and Step FIL are moving away at a time when their family need them?" The problem is that you can't really be inside the mind of your MIL so all the advice that we have given is based on your perception of her motivations and how she would respond to questioning, not her actual motivations or responses. For example, how on earth can you know what goes on in private between your husband's grieving stepfather and his mother? How can you know that your MIL really does take the harsh view that she doesn't care whether the other son of the old lady steps up to the plate or not, as long as she doesn't have to.

For what it's worth, it does rather amaze me the extent to which people on Mumsnet think that grandparents have a duty to be fully involved or even interested in their grandchildren - Jan49's post is a prime example. If they choose to play an involved role, lovely, but they are people in their own right who have probably given up a lot of their liberty raising their children and may have had enough child interaction to last them a lifetime, may find boisterous noisy kids increasingly annoying and tiresome and are perfectly entitled to step back and live a little (albeit in the full awareness that choosing very minimal involvement may result in the parents of the kids telling them not to bother at all). Appreciate that you have suffered a tragic loss of DC2 OP but even still, your MIL has her own life to lead.

As I said to you when I thought you were your MIL, I'd be more concerned that your DH's step DF hasn't really thought through the emotional impact on himself of leaving his ill and bereaved mother.

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