[nickydwuk]

My OH is also not one for taking chances (god knows why he married me ) so when I first mentioned NZ he was a little apprehensive. He is close to his family etc... I never pushed him but just got on with research etc... and told him what I had found without pushing. Occasionally we would discuss it in depth and he would say that some days he wanted to go and other days he didn't. The kids were all ok about it at the time but we had mentioned to his parents that we were thinking about it and that was when the problems began,. They didn't want to even talk about it and then started on the emotional blackmail with the kids. OH was still undecided. Unexpectedly I got a job offer last Sept to start this Sept. I had to step up my campaign a little then just before Xmas he told me he didn't want to go. I was devastated and was trying to get my head round it. I went a little quiet but so did he. After a few days we had another heart to heart and he said his head was just so full with NZ that he just wanted to get away from it. He agreed to consider it still. Xmas was the turning point. He had always looked at Xmas as a family time but this year it was apparent that the family he remembered was not there. Just after Xmas he decided that we would go. And now there is no stopping him.

I suppose the secret is to persevere but not be too pushy. My daughter was a great ally as she is a daddy's girl and was able to talk to him for me at times. At times I despaired but alls well in the end. We fly on 19th Sept and just can't wait.

Hope all goes well.