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Telling Mum Your Leaving

Telling Mum Your Leaving

My decision to travel and working out where to go on my first steps into backpacking territory were a piece of cake compared to the next obstacle i would cross. Breaking the news to the family that I was going to travel. Well lets be honest its breaking the news to your mum that’s what you fear most.

The way I see it your brother or sister are likely to be one of three things. Jealous, done it before or they just won’t give a damn. Once your gone they will likely attempt to use you as a cheap place to stay overseas and ride off your back for as long as they can. Hey I know I would so I’d never blame them if they tried it on. Your mother and father however will take to anyway they please, after all its a parents right.

For me though, my brother and sister were in two different minds. My sister didn’t really care and thought I was wasting my money I think. My brother was a little jealous and even offered me some dollars towards the trip. How he can be jealous when the little bugger is off working in Western Australia making a fortune I don’t know but it was nice.

Hard WorkDad was fairly quite on the subject but I did detect approval and a “I’m proud of you son” nod. My dad is a through and through hard working Aussie. Growing up in a small country town he knew what work was and made sure we understood it. Something I will always be grateful for, everybody would be served well to have a few honest years instilled in them. I look around now and wonder what the younger generation will do for us…

Mum, well some will deny it, others pretend they don’t care but deep down every son or daughter looks to their mum for approval, no matter how old you are. I knew it was going to be a sticky subject as she has always wanted me to settle down, buy a house and be a good family man. Don’t get me wrong I’d love a house and a family but right now I have some more of the world to see.

What made matters worse is that my mother works for a bank. So not only do I contend with having a family and settling down, I also have the age old story of you should save your money.

Testing the Water

I first tested the waters with a funny remark and a hey you know my friend from school I just caught up with him, sounds like he had a great time working overseas. The reception I got was on par but there was a subtle hint I might just survive it.

A month or so later I broke the news…. I used all the excuses. If I’m going to change jobs why not see the world at the same time, my friend said it was easy to get work, airfares are cheap, I need a break as I’m stuck in a rut, there is great advice online…..

When the talking stopped it was settled. I was going to travel but god help me if I get married overseas or skip more than 2 of her birthdays.

Knowing I had the approval was the reassurance I needed, it made it somewhat final. Before it was all just pipe dreams in my head, until someone else knew about it I could forget the thought and continue on with life. Before it was easy, now it was about to get a whole lot more serious.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/n0seblunt/ / CC BY 2.0

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6 Responses to Telling Mum Your Leaving

  1. ASHLEA November 22, 2010 at 5:22 AM #

    “I was going to travel but god help me if I get married overseas or skip more than 2 of her birthdays.”

    So cute haha. I love it!

    • THE AUSSIE NOMAD November 22, 2010 at 8:02 AM #

      Ever since I left Ashlea and especially when I came home after 6 months away for my brothers wedding mum was still at me to stay. I love her to death but at the moment travel is just too exciting.

  2. KYMELEE January 3, 2011 at 5:02 PM #

    I didn’t tell my mum, she sort of made the decision for me! My friend got unfairly fired from her job, so I made the suggestion that we go work in the UK. A few days later she posted on my facebook some info on visas saying that it was possible. Next thing I know my mum has told everyone that I’m going backpacking! Uh… it had passed my mind, but I hadn’t really considered it. Next thing I know I’m on the other side of the world working so that I can save some more money to go backpacking!

    The only thing that concerns me is now she is telling everyone that I’m not going back to Australia to live!! I’m beginning to wonder if she is trying to get rid of me…

    • THE AUSSIE NOMAD January 3, 2011 at 5:10 PM #

      hahaha Kymelee well it certainly sounds like it to me. Still London isn’t a bad place to be living. I’ve been here 6 months now and apart from having to wear 50 layers of clothing that I have to take off every time I enter a building or train I’m enjoying it.

      • KYMELEE January 4, 2011 at 7:52 PM #

        Lol. Yep I’m still not used to removing all those layers and putting them on. I have been in London for 6 months as well. We must have arrived at the same time!

        Think I’m gonna have to have a serious chat with my mum at some stage…

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  1. WHEN AM I LEAVING | THE AUSSIE NOMAD - January 11, 2010

    […] was adamant I had to spend some time at home with her (Read more about that at Telling Mum Your Leaving) seeing as I have no intentions of returning home within the following 2 years. Although with my […]

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