Fast-food meal isn't so happy for co-workers
The biggest pro to me is "happy wife, happy life."
Is it selfish of us to move and pull our kids away from their schools and their grandparents? Will time heal the loss of family for our kids?
-- Just a Guy
Dear Guy: Although I can understand the occasional impulse to shake things up and escape from the loving clutches of jobs, family and friends, the way you present this idea, it seems quite unformed and like the impulse of a restless parent who wants to make some big life changes.
Children do usually eventually adjust to new surroundings (especially younger kids), but they don't do so unless their parents are stable and happy. Do not downplay the extreme sacrifice you would be asking your children to make so that you and your wife can change your surroundings. Your 12-year-old would feel the greatest impact. Yes, I would say that so far, this choice seems selfish on your parts.
The most logical way to go about this would be for your family to scout out jobs, schools, and communities before you make any sudden moves. You might be able to do a "home swap" during a school break, to feel things out.
Dear Amy: Thank you for encouraging "Wondering" to contact his high school crush after their recent reunion. I'm happy to say that I reconnected with a crush at our reunion, and if he hadn't been brave enough to follow up, we wouldn't be enjoying a happy late-life marriage today!
-- Crushed
Dear Crushed: Judging by the contents of my mailbag, high school reunions are the source of many (and occasionally challenging) connections and reconnections.
I'm happy your reconnection is a happy one.
========
(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Amy Dickinson, c/o Tribune Content Agency, 16650 Westgrove Drive, Suite 175, Addison, Texas, 75001. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)
