Bye Bye Baby(sitter)

Brother in law and co have made an announcement. The kind of announcement that leaves an atomic bomb effect.

I am lucky enough to have a very good relationship with the mans slightly younger brother and as for his fiancée she is totally on my wavelength too. A perfect in law package.

Over the past year ( since they arrived back from travelling the world) they have become very comfortable additions to our social network . Not only have we enjoyed many an evening together but they have been kind enough to offer us the opportunity to enjoy more evening’s as a couple too, providing a reliable and invaluable babysitting service.

Bringing me back to the announcement. I have likened it to a bomb as I see no other fit way of describing the impact their decision is going to make. They have informed us that in the not too distant future they will be moving to Oz.
Initially I was ecstatic for them, good quality of life and an endless supply of sunshine on tap - I could see the appeal, but then it hit me. Goodbye to those funny evenings, good bye moral support of sister in law, and tragically ( for us ) good bye babysitters.
As for the hour long topical debates on family dramas these will now have to be communicated via email or phone, the latter being pretty costly.

Immediately I am considering voicing my serious concern, maybe realising the impact on my social life will make them reconsider? Thinking again, I guess that is hardly a realistic con to their impending new lives.

Looking over to toddler son climbing up his best Uncle’s leg then seeing him blow kisses to his favourite Aunt I feel a prick of tears welling up. Even with his ASBO tendencies they have managed to achieve the unthinkable and have well and truly won him over.
I start to feel sad. Not only would I selfishly miss the freedom that they have offered me, but the rugrats will be gutted too. Underneath it all, if the truth be known - the knot in my stomach is less to do with the practicalities and frankly more down to the fact that I am going to really miss them.

After two days of initial shock I am slowly getting used to the idea, after all it was to be expected with no ties and great job’s lined up, what have they got to lose? I decide to make the most of the time that is left. Hey, they will still come over to visit and we may even get a trip over there too. I start to see that their move might be a good thing.

For once I am going to be really mature about something and wish them all the luck in the world.. not without booking them for babysitting every weekend till they go of course!