Just waved my parents off and want to go with them. Boooo hooooo.

[ClaudiaSchiffer]

My dear old mum and dad have been here for a month and whilst we've all driven each other nuts at times, I've absolutely adored having them close by.

This morning I waved them off at the airport for their long flight back to Blighty (we're in Australia) and I feel sick and sad, and keep crying. I've been through this a number of times before but it never seems to get easier. I just miss them so much .

I wish wish wish they lived down the road, or I was able to see them more often. My dad is 70 this year and I'd love to be there for it. Oh fuck it, i'm gonna cry again.

Husband doesn't really "get" the heartwrenching misery of saying good bye. He's Aussie and his folks live down the road, lucky bastard. He has been an absolute saint whilst they were here (80% of the time).

How do you get over the pain of goodbyes?

I am not sure but I wish I knew. I am in NZ and my parents are here at the moment. I am trying not to think about the fact they go back in a month.

Lavender, it SUCKS!

Enjoy the time you have with them. Mine drive me crackers but I do love them so. It does make me question why the hell I'm here.

Poor you.

It's horrific. My mum came to stay when I had DC1 and I can vividly remember running along the road after her taxi howling when she left.

There isn't a solution. The only chink of light I can offer you is that you or they should book the next visit as soon as the present visit finishes. It's ever so slightly easier if you know that there is going to be a next time, and when that will be.

The other thing worth remembering is that a single return flight is not that expensive. Once your DC are of an age to leave, you can pop back to see your parents, if you can't stump up the $8k or whatever for the whole family to fly.

I know you want your parents to see the DGC, but it's better than nothing.

Be very gentle with yourself for the next week. It's wine o'clock in Adelaide now, I believe.

It does suck. Big time!

Mine do drive me nuts but I am dreading them going back. We are meant to be going back to visit next christmas but as DH points out thats our summer gone. We cant go at any other time due to my job.

Skype helps but its not the same. Kids are going tobe crushed when they go.

Having said all that. There is no way we would move back. We love it here but I just need to invent a teleporter.

I just did the exact same thing yesterday. Waaaaahhhhhhh!!!! It is so sad. I love my Mother so very much and I am depriving her of having my dc and of course her own daughter in her life.

My youngest started school last week so tomorrow I am going to be ALONE. I was thinking of going home by myself this year but I am scared of being so far from my children. Irrationally but still.

Ahhh you lovely people, thank you, shall we have a group hug?

and release [wobbly but brave watery ]

Ninedragons, good idea re booking or at least planning the next trip - I'm gonna spend the rest of arvo looking at flights.

Savoy you poor thing. That's exactly it, I feel incredibly selfish being here. It must be so heartwrenching for our parents to have to leave their daughters and grandchildren. Bloody awful. And so lonely for everyone, 'tis madness.

Savoy, I would feel the same as you being away from my kids, they're both pretty small though so perhaps that will change as the get older.