Hello,
I really feel for you and your dilema.
I think what everyone has said is right, it does come down to our loved ones being selfish and scared of loosing us.
I think parents especially think that you wont be in contact like you used to. I lived 20mins away from Mum when we were in Edinburgh and have a better relationship with her now and we speak everyday on MSN and email.
We also webcam everyweekend even if it's just for 10mins and I use Skype to call home for a quick hello. More often than not by the time we come to webcam on the weekend Mum knows what we've been up to during the week so we have nothing to talk about! It's amazing how easy it is to stay in touch.
Another thing you have to remember is when you go back for a holiday or family visit the quality time you spend with each other is amazing. I've lived away from home for 9yrs and Mum and Dad came to visit us for 2 weeks at the start of the year and it was great seeing them before I went to bed and again for brekkie. It was so nice wandering to the dairy with Dad to get the paper. These are things I dont think I've ever done since I was a kid.
Do tread carefully tho about things. We initially came out on a WHV and I told my folks we wouldnt be back and Stu told his we would be back in 2yrs and now we're going back in July to break the news to his folks that we are in the process of applying for PR!! Stu's Mum has really held onto that 'we'll be back in 2yrs' sentence and we are dreading telling her. So do be careful when setting expectations to people.
Just remember that most of us have been there with the family thing. Give them time and dont push the NZ subject too much to the point it irritates them.
Good luck with it and we're all here for you.
PS Sorry for the long rambling post.
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