To visit family or to wait it out?

Trying to decide on something here and would love to get your opinions.

Originally, my parents were going to visit us here in Senegal this month. But with various health problems they've been having and doctors' appointments scheduled, they've decided that it's not going to work out. They gave us the option of using their skymiles to come and see them but my mom and I were discussing it and we feel like maybe the cons outweigh the pros.

The main pro is that my parents will get to see Rokia and Amina and vice-versa. It really makes me sad that my parents are missing out on so many stages and developments in their grandkids lives. I have a lot of guilt for having our kids so far from my family. The other obvious pro is that I would get to see my family. I miss them so much and would love to go. Also, minor pro, Rokia would get to see snow for the first time!

But the cons list is much bigger...
- My SO can't come (no visitor visa)
- We would only be going for 9-10 days
- Rokia would miss a week and a half of school and she is already behind since it is a new school with a different curriculum
- I'm afraid of disrupting Rokia's routine for just 1 week of joy...coming back would be really difficult. She always takes it really hard when we leave my parents (and that is usually after 2 months with them!)
- I'd have to do that long, long trip with both kids by myself again. And I feel like it would be even harder now that Amina is walking.
- Expense. Even though my parents would give us skymiles, we'd still have to pay the taxes on the trip (about $550 for all 3 of us)

Part of it is just the frustration with the unknowns of the visa process. If my paperwork gets approved, then we'll be looking at a March or April interview. Waiting until April to see my parents doesn't seem so bad. But if we messed up on some aspect of the paperwork, we'd be looking at a May/June interview, which seems like a long time to wait to see my parents.

Thoughts? Opinions? Votes?

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2 comments

#1

lucybelle commented

January 6, 2015, 09:47 AM

Editing a comment
I say go for it! Look, Rokia is going to be behind in school regardless. She'll also be going to the USA soon where she'll have plenty of time to catch up, since she'll start in August with everyone else. You need a break, I did too at this time in visa nonsense. Consider it a trip to acclimate the girls to life in USA.
#2

ioanna commented

January 10, 2015, 07:59 PM

Editing a comment
it's great to read an update! : )

I also vote for the visit and everything LB said. School will always be there, plus Rokia could get some work done while away if you fell she would benefit from it; something like a carnet de vacances, so you wouldn't have to bring her books with you.
It will be a good change of scenery for you, and would also allow you to get a head start in your move preparation; you could also start taking things to the US to diminish the amout of luggage on the BIG move

Whichever way things turn out, i hope your parents health is on it's way back up and that you have a lovely January!

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To visit family or to wait it out?

To visit family or to wait it out?