DS off to Australia

[tactum]

DS, 18, is off to Australia later today. Amazing opportunity, going to play cricket for a club over there and also work. His absolute dream gap year. So excited for him and it'll be amazing, but absolutely devastated at the same time. DD at uni, second year, and this feels so much v worse than her going.

He could end up staying longer/forever , no chance of popping home for the weekend, an empty nest, a feeling of having come to the end of my mission for the last 20 years. Ugh!!!!!!!

[ChagSameachDoreen]

He will love it!

Don't let your own emotions cloud it. I lived abroad for a decade and my mother often put a dampener on my happiness by complaining that I'd moved away.

[starrynight21]

My brother did this years ago - same deal, playing cricket and working. He had the best time, made friends he still keeps in touch with, has wonderful memories of a great experience. I know it's hard but you will be fine - sending a hand hold xx

[tactum]

Thank you both. I'm sure after today I won't be showing my emotions too much and certainly won't rain on his parade. And I'm sooooo excited for him, just seems quite a brutal cut of the apron strings.

[MagpiePi]

My son did a similar thing - going out to play sports and work, although it was after he'd finished Uni. He's still there 3 years later!
I think that going out to play sport is brilliant as he will have a ready made social group.
It is really easy to keep in touch with facetime once you get used to the time differences.

[Bubblebubblebah]

If it makes you feel any better, my mum used to say that she speaks with me thousands miles away more often than with most people who are still geographically close.

[Chamomileteaplease]

I am sure you won't make him feel bad. Of course not.

But, it is perfectly natural to feel gutted that your young son is off to the other side of the world for a year! Nothing weird about your feelings 😞.

You may have to find something new to occupy your mind for a while 😎.

[Denny53]

My son moved to Australia and took my only (at the time) grandchildren with him! I cried for 6 months- not in front of him I might add!
we went to visit and when I saw the opportunities the family had there compared to the U.K. and how happy they all were my fears melted. It will be hard for you all but remember what my wise late mother told me.
‘The most important thing you can give your children are roots and wings’

[wedlock94]

Hi, did any of your children use a specific company to arrange the working/sports experience? Thanks

[Keyansier]

How is he doing @tactum ? How are you doing?

[MissLucyEyelesbarrow]

I understand how you feel but please don’t tell him.

I’ve never forgotten telling my DM that I’d got a job I really wanted in Italy, and all she said was, “Oh, you’ll marry an Italian, then” (particularly ridiculous as she lived in France so hardly the other end of the Earth). It felt so selfish - she couldn’t be pleased for me. I’m afraid you need to fake being 💯 pleased for him.

[Sugarplumfairy65]

One of mine took off for a gap year after uni. He started off in Australia to watch the cricket then made his way around the world before coming back home for a year. Since then he's lived and worked all over the world and is loving life.
You've done a good job getting him to this stage even though its sad to see them go.