To feel a bit sad my Dc isn’t having a British childhood

[Remembervoguingatschool]

Just looking at the Instagram pics of friends in the U.K. from their holidays, from places like Wales & Cornwall. Just remembering the caravan stays of my childhood, the windy, rainy beach walks, finding little coves with fishing nets, having chippy for tea most might, arcades etc etc.
We live overseas and my dd has a wonderful life, but it’s very different to the one I had, she’ll have very different memories. Is it weird to feel sad she don’t experience the same things we did? (Dh is from the same area and had a similar childhood)

No one can have the exact same childhood of their parents, no matter where they live. Life changes and a childhood now is not the same as it was 20/30/40 years ago.

Rather disingenuous to expect the experience to be the same. I think some people need to take off their rose-tinted glasses.

I moved my kids away from my childhood area as well, and of course it was for all the right reasons, but sometimes I have intense emotions about what it could have been like to stay. In those moments I’m not thinking of all the reasons we’re not there. I think going back and visiting here and there is just as good experience. My ancestors immigrated to the US from Europe and my family kept a lot of traditions going, so I do feel connected to the old countries. We’re actually planning to move back soon. It feels possible to me because I had that connection growing up. It’s possible to identify with more than one culture, it’s actually enriching! Just do everything you can to pass your culture on and celebrate it.

Both my DC were born abroad, but we moved back for DS1 to start primary school in the UK when DS2 was newborn so one grew up to age 4 abroad. I couldn't help comparing & contrasting the same period with DS2 back here. I personally enjoyed it more, because it was like I was getting a second childhood too through DS2, vicariously. I had thought with DS1 that I would throw myself into the other place and learn all about their nature, season, culture etc & that it would be fun & enjoyable for us all - which it was, but there was always the undercurrent of comparison & nostalgia. I do have some great memories of doing things unique to that location though.

If I hadn't that time abroad with DS1, I don't know if I would have had the same appreciation though - a kind of "you don't know what you're missing until it's gone" thing. I really enjoy the seasons, traditions and UK-centric activities these days. This year we've had holidays to both Cornwall and Wales and enjoyed all those activities you mentioned, even if some were between rain showers!

I also get what you said OP about not having the extended family life. I didn't miss it at the time we were abroad, as the whole having a child thing was new to us and we're not that into constant family gatherings, etc but I do prefer having the choice about how much to interact or not, rather than being effectively cut off by distance/time zone. I like seeing how the DC interact with different-aged relatives, and that they've seen their young relatives grow up, but again this could be because I have the appreciation of what it's like to not have those opportunities; maybe most people probably take them for granted & don't think twice about it.

I think you hit the nail on the head there with enjoying and reliving childhood. To enjoy the same pleasures through your children’s eyes. It’s why brambly hedge, Enid Blyton, Mallory towers live on seemingly eternally.

I think that question was for me!

The 20% possibility we might move on from where we are relates to availability of work for DH mainly. Or if we felt one of us / kids was really unhappy.

We do think we might have a couple of years somewhere else but returning here as 'home'.

Yes apologies! I was wondering why only 70-80% that’s all.
It’s good to enjoy this stuff when you are young, and don’t have health issues/sick or dying elderly parents and other issues that crop up later in life - redundancy/ reduced work opportunities. Things do change as we age.
I am really glad we did it when we did, and really glad to be home now and travel widely from Heathrow! Travelling spirits will always be looking for the next adventure 🌎