My parents live 10,000 miles away on the other side of the world. They were here for Olivia’s birth but went home when she was 1 month old.
Since then, they had only seen her from the photos I sent and a few times on webcam. They have not seen her the last couple months since my brother’s computer is broken.
When I spoke to my mom last week, she choked up when she mentioned that her other friends can see their grandchildren anytime but since we live so far away, it’s very tough.
Olivia is their first and only grandchild, for the moment. She is growing so fast, learning new things and her antics are super cute and I want my parents to experience that, but short of making the 24-hour plane ride, I don’t think there is any other way.
I try to send them photos periodically but it is not the same. I’m heartbroken. I would like them to come next year and have just started saving for the trip. However, should I have them come now, since Olivia is only going to be this age once? I don’t know…..
How do you deal when your parents are so far away from their only grandchild?
The milestones towards 7th month
5 days ago
9 comments:
Oh dear HooiImm,huggg.. I think I know how you feel. Very sorry to know it upset you so much. Actually I think you have good plan there. Eventhough your parents still miss out some precious time be with Olivia, they will still treasure alot when they come next year. I believe there will be more interaction going on between Olivia and your parents next year? At the same time, you can have your money save-up plan works out too.
Sigh, I know I will be going through the same thing as you one day. I hope you are feeling much better now! huggggg
love,
kitman
I guess this is one of the sacrifices we have to make when we live abroad. My gal is 31 mth & since my parents don't
like to make the long journey, I try to bring her back every year. So far we've gone back to Msia twice.It's hard making the long trip with a baby but it's all worth it when I see both sets of grandparents enjoying their time with her. If ur parents don't mind flying over here & if you can afford it, it's definitely worth it to bring them here as often as you can. Our little ones will grow up too fast b4 you even realise it.
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Hooi Imm,
Can you make video of Olivia and send it to your parents? Encourage your siblings to get married/have kids soon. It must be hard. My parents have 7 + 1 coming grandchildren so it would be easier for me.
My Chinese friend is pregnant and her parents wanted her to give the child to them in China for until the child turns 2. She agreed but the French husband strongly opposed. Her parents are very upset, and it seems that it's a common practice in their region.
Hooi Imm,
Try skype. You can chat, video cam and talk on the phone for free over the internet. You can also call from skype to landline in Malaysia if your brother doesn't has skype installed.
I do skype with my brother in KL everyday and Annabel talks to her uncle everynight thru skype and video cam too.
Type skype.com and check it out.
I know how you feel. I'm pretty much in the same boat too. They were not here for Jayden's birth and has only seen him once so far when he was about 9 months old. The current plan is for them to come in Feb for baby No. 2's birth.
Cat, thanks for the tip. I will check out Skype. My bro's computer is finally fixed and my parents got to see Olivia through YM.
Oh dear...poor grandparents, parents and Olivia....
Try getting skype and a webcam. That way they can see her and talk to her FREE !
By the way, how long have you been in NY?
Hi Ann, I have been in NY since 2001. Where are you located? Do you have a blog that I can link?
Oh I totally understand this part. My kids are my parents' only grand kids too. Which is why - year after year, I sacrifice my trip home to Malaysia in return for their ticket here.
You 'pay' for it in other ways. I've never been home since setting foot on US soil and sometimes it hurts so so bad. You see friends going home, talk about their visit, eat LOL but I have never been able to do that :(
Still... looking back over the last 5-6 years I think we made the right decision. I will be here for a while more - they won't so my 'sacrifice' is small compared to theirs.
Today, my kids have a super, super relationship with my parents and though sometimes that backfires :) especially when you try to discipline them. But in the end, I couldn't ask for more.
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