R2I - No ocean to keep families apart
The proximity of our near and dear ones is a big plus on returning home. Typically parents are getting old and their dependencies, increasing. It is very easy on the nerves to not have the oceans and mountains keeping you apart, especially when there is a health crisis.
Both hub and I are only kids to our respective parents and we wanted to be here for emergencies that might arise. I would have hated to receive a really tragic news in the middle of the night and not be able to come home right away. What with 2 young’uns and all. Though both sets of parents have visited us before, I didn’t see it happening again cause of different health complications. And that wasn’t comforting at all.
It is an absolute joy to watch the children interact and play with their grandparents. And it seems to be doing a whole lot of good to the grandparents as well. Something to keep them young and spirited …. company of the very young. The nearness and proximity is easy on their nerves as well. For them, the huge geographical divide and the tiring and long international air travels are things of the past. 
Filed under: Simple R2I Luxuries, R2I
Nothing can compensate for the benefits of gand parents attention on their grand children. It is priceless :)-.
Kids definitely benefit from the wisdom of their grand parents, if parents value that wisdom
Paavai, welcome to the blog!
As parents, we definitely benefit from less worries (our parents’ health) and the baby sittings.
Paavai,
Well said about - “if parents value that wisdom”.
Even leaving out the wisdom part - grandparents love and affection (often unconditional) is something that the kids truly enjoy.
-G
I agree. The joy of watching the little ones being pampered by their grandparents far outweighs the little, irksome troubles that the parents may have to endure. Good, heartfelt post. Thank you
Wonderful blog chitra. I loved to read it especially when we are close to r2i’ing to blore during the start of next year.
Sumana
Hi Chitra,
I happen to visit your blog by chance today and wanted to say its just GREAT! Thanks for taking time to write so much. You have so much useful information.
I have couple of topics I need more info. Hoping you could help!
Here is little bit about me before I ask the questions.
We are in the US from past 12 yrs in the DC metro area. Didn’t like it at first but now it is my home! Can’t imagine even moving to the next street from here!! I have a 8 yr daughter and have a full time job. Life is boring due to lack of friends and family but no other complaints. Work is decent for both me and my husband. My daughter’s school is good. Our home is close to all the 3 places. We all go in the morning and come back in the evening. My commute is around 1hr each way but get to work from home often. Working from home is nice but is boring. Work is nice but everyone is busy with their assignments. So not that many friends. Sundays are busy with swimming, music and Chinmaya mission classes for my daughter. She is learning chess at after school program and goes to additional fun science class. After school program is great. She gets homework time and time to play outside (when the weather is good) or inside the huge basketball court (when the weather is bad).
After my last Bangalore visit, I am feeling home sick and want to return back. Miss loved ones a lot. It is more emotional for few other reasons. I am hoping to return back in 2011. My daughter would have completed 5th grade by then.
I got lot of information from your blog. Thanks a lot for sharing it with us. Its simple and very well written.
Here are few questions I have. Hopefully you can answer them or point me to another blog or website if its already available.
1) What are the challenges she could face if we move from US to India and she has to go to 6th grade.
2) Any idea if kids around 10-11 yrs, who have moved back to India feel about the schools there? Any suggestions about what we can prepare her for the next 2 yrs so the transition is relatively smooth? I think she needs Hindi no matter which school she goes to. Anything else?
3) I feel US schools are more friendly and more concept oriented compared to the school I went and my friends here went (which were more exam oriented, by-heart and get through exams, do not ask questions and disturb the class kind of attitude!) Is that different now? Are the schools more oriented towards teaching the subject instead of memory test and get good marks?
4) My husband has around 17yrs of experience in S/w is now working as Sr.Developer. He is around 41yrs now.
a) Any idea what kind of position can he expect in India?
b) What kind of working hours?
c) What kind of salary?
d) Travelling? You said it cannot be avoided. But generally how long are the travels and how often? This will be a major criteria for our move. If it happens too often or for too long, we might decide to stay in the US.
5) I am in QA. I have around 8yrs experience (development and QA together) and around 35yrs old. Same questions as above -
a) Any idea what kind of position can I expect in India?
b) What kind of working hours?
c) What kind of salary?
d) Travelling? You said it cannot be avoided. But generally how long are the travels and how often? This will be a major criteria for our move. If it happens too often or for too long, we might decide to stay in the US.
6) What kind of life do working women with children have there? Do they get to spend time with their children? I would like to be involved in my daughter’s everyday activities like I am here. Is that a possibility for moms in general who are in S/W? Or is it more like go to work, come back, cook, feed the kids and get ready for the next day?
7) How is it dealing with relatives? Having lived by ourselves for so many years, I have heard it could be nightmare experience!
9) Have you heard any good or bad experiences about bringing up children in the US?
10) Have you heard any good or bad experiences about couple living in the US after their children are grown up? Any issues after retirement, late realization about not having moved back to India?
I know I have lot of questions and quite a few might seem like complaints. I would like to know as much detail as I can before we decide whether to move or not than regret later. If we move, I would like to know what to expect.
I am yet to completely cover your blog (if that is possible at all with so much information :->) I would appreciate if you or someone else could provide as much information as possible.
Thanks!