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Living overseas

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Original poster

Telling big news over Skype?

19 replies

ChinngisKhan · 15/04/2011 05:55

Hi oversea-ers, I'm new to MN but need some advice (please!). Have been living overseas for two years now, and recently had a BFP. I have always imagined that if I ever had news like this for my parents (first GC) I would be telling them in person, but I am not due to visit home for several more months.

My question is - has anyone else shared big news (not necessarily pregnancy related) with their families back home over Skype? How did you do it? I'm worried it will make my Mum really sad that I am so far away so no congratulatory hugs. Or would it best to wait until I see them in person? An answers/suggestions welcome!

OP posts:

GotArt · 15/04/2011 06:02

I did and think its a great way to tell news... at least its live. Unless you are going to see them in the next couple of weeks, go for it.

GotArt · 15/04/2011 06:03

Congratulations!!!

TanteRose · 15/04/2011 06:25

Congratulations!

well, in the days before Skype it was by telephone, and it was fine! It WAS considered bad form to leave a message on the answering machine for bad news though...

Original poster

ChinngisKhan · 15/04/2011 07:02

ooo - it's lovely to get congratulations! Thanks!

I am sure you are both right; Skype will be fine.

I think I am being a big ninny about it, and at least it's live and not by telephone. Or text message! It will at least be nice to be able to see their faces (if internet connection holds up).

Of course, the REAL bonus is that my Dad is far away enough not to hunt down my OH and force him up the aisle with a shotgun!

Thanks for the advice ladies!

OP posts:

Original poster

ChinngisKhan · 15/04/2011 07:05

TanteRose - you have just made me realise how lucky I am to be living overseas with access to Skype and email! I can't imagine how it would be to only keep in touch with phone calls and letters.

OP posts:

heliumballoons · 15/04/2011 07:11

Congratulations.

When I was abroad and pg with DS all I had was text. Skype sounds great.

SlightlyB0nkers · 15/04/2011 07:13

I told my family through skype as I wasn't going to see them until after the birth. It's obviously not the same as a real hug but was still nice to see their faces whilst telling the news.

I got told by text about my sister's pregnancy and I was very annoyed that she chose to do it that way. I think I'm still a bit annoyed :( but that's my problem, not hers.

Good luck with telling them the news and congratulations.

chimchar · 15/04/2011 07:18

i think sykpe is as close to in person as you can get, being so far apart....

my friends family all live in the seychelles. his wife was pregnant with their dc3, and they didn't tell the family until they went to visit and arrived with a big baby bump! he said it was brilliant watching it dawn on everyone that his wife had a rather bulging belly!

how long til you see them? practical to keep it a surprise or not?

congratulations btw!

bunnygirl80 · 15/04/2011 07:19

Congratulations. I told my parents and PIL about my pg over skype. It comes a close second to telling them in person

nooka · 15/04/2011 07:22

I really don't like Skype personally. I don't like the delay and it makes me feel like my family are even further away. So I use the phone mostly. Our big news has included dh losing his job (twice), me getting a job, us moving from NYC to West Coast Canada, but no babies :) All on the phone.

Original poster

ChinngisKhan · 15/04/2011 07:36

I am loving the idea of waiting until I arrive at Heathrow with bump! The look on my Mum's face would be priceless! Probably not too practical though...

Nooka you are right about the delay - it can be frustrating and make me feel even more homesick. Plus, we get quite frequent power cuts here so I can imagine the possibility of:

"You are going to be grandparents"
internet connection goes

"hello? hellooooo?"

OP posts:

shellybr · 15/04/2011 08:52

1st baby was on the phone cause I couldn't wait till they got home to skype. 2nd was over skype. Loved it I spoke to my mum and dad everyday and they could see the bump progressing along nicely. We had only arrived in NZ so it was nice to have someone to share the news with as we didn't really know anyone there at the time.

Would be cool to get off the plane with a bump alright!

PussinJimmyChoos · 15/04/2011 09:01

Congrats!

DH's family are in the middle east and we told them over Skype-it was fab to see their faces! Go for it!

MmeSurvivedLent · 15/04/2011 11:12

Congratulations!

I would love to get off the plane with a bump, but know my mum would never forgive me stealing her knitting/boasting/getting excited time.

We told my parents over the phone (didn't have skype then) and for second pregnancy waited until I was 12 weeks as we were going over there anyway.

AuldAlliance · 15/04/2011 20:53

I told mine over the phone.
When my Dad muttered something about how my Granny (i.e. he) would be upset because we weren't married, I thought I'd better confess and told them that we had got married a month previously without telling anyone...

Original poster

ChinngisKhan · 17/04/2011 04:50

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and thoughts with me.

You have managed to make me go from feeling very worried about this, to being really excited about breaking the news!

DP and I will be getting onto Skype in the next week, and then I will come back and let you all know how it went

OP posts:

mrsbabookaloo · 17/04/2011 05:34

DH's parents are in the States, and I think we told them about both pregnancies by Skype. I'm not a huge fan of it in general but for big news it is good to tell them together and see their faces - DH told them by showing them the scan picture....

Merlion · 17/04/2011 08:18

I also told my parents over skype (twice now). The worst thing was waiting for them to get up so I could skype them (we're GMT +8) . We arranged to skype my parents and for DH to call his Mum at the same time (she doesn't have a computer). It worked really well. I wouldn't worry they'll be thrilled.

Congratulations and let us know how it goes.

ConfessionsOfAnAchingFanjo · 18/04/2011 21:26

First time I had a BF(VeryUnexpected)P I had to tell my parents by phone. I nearly went deaf in one ear my Mum squealed so loudly. For current BFP I got to tell them over skype, Mum still squealed, but as the was no hand piece I wasn't deafened AND I got to see her face.

I am a bit sad that the first views of the baby will be over skype (the got cuddles at a couple of hours old with DS), but it's better than having to send pics that will be weeks out of date by the time they get them.

Good luck breaking the news.

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