I said a few days ago that I was glad we were emigrating soon as it would mean fewer opportunities for emotional blackmail from my wife’s parents.
They visited us this weekend and it was difficult. They were in a questioning mood…
* What if I can’t get a job in Canada? I’ll be throwing away a well paid one here and might not ever get another one…..
* What if there’s a serious illness in the family and we’re in Canada? Would we come back to lend support?……
* Will we come back often to visit? because they are getting a bit old for long-haul flights…..
* Although it’s a bit late in life, what if we have children…. would we come back so their grandparents could see them regularly?….
I must admit, I do now feel guilty about emigrating… and clearly this was the whole intent behind the questions they were asking.
… and then I feel angry that they’re trying to manipulate us.
… and then I think “but these are legitimate questions. If they make us feel so bad, maybe we shouldn’t be emigrating”.
… and then I think about how fed up I am with Scotland and the UK and how trapped I feel and the fact that I just want to get away and do something new.
I’m going to bed soon but I think it will be a troubled night and I hope I don’t lie awake too long worrying about it all.