Long distance parents
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I'm in LA and my parents are back home in Wales. They visit one to 2 times a year for 2-4 weeks. They are self sufficient when here which is great, zoom calls every Sunday. We have the Family Album app to share pictures and videos straight away.
I'm in England and my parents are in Northern Ireland. It can be hard at times and I feel super guilty but I try to either visit them every 8 or so weeks or they come here. When my little girl was born my parents came over for a few days when she was 2 weeks old and they're planning to do the same this time around with my 2nd born. I also use the family album app to update with videos and pictures and we video call quite often too which definitely makes things easier.
My biggest worry is having to host them because although they’re easy enough I just don’t want to have to think about anyone else but the baby and myself!
I think it depends how helpful they will be. With my first I didn't want anyone staying that early as I wanted to figure stuff out as a family and feared I'd just rely on my mum's parenting experience. This time she's coming for a few weeks just before I give birth probably, but I know I don't have to entertain her and she will be quietly helpful like loads the dishwasher and tidy and cook. So if you think she'll expect hosting I wouldn't, if she will just be helpful I'd accept it but from when you feel ready.
My whole fam is in the Czech Republic. My mum is coming for 2-3 weeks when baby is 2-3 weeks as agreed. She defo wants to see them when super young and cute and help me out so it's a win win. We have 1 bedroom flat and she will have to sleep on sofa but we have a saying in my country "good kind people will always fit" 🥰😄😄
My parents are in the Philippines and I’m here in the UK, Mum will hopefully be flying over before I give birth to adjust with the time difference/weather. We had a chat and kind of set boundaries as she’d probably be here for 6 months to maximise the visa allowance. I will not rely on her too much with the baby but I’d love her to be here to help me with the household chores.
My parents live in the Netherlands while I live in the UK, in laws live 20 min down the road. My stepmom offered to come over for a week to help out once the baby is born but i just can't see myself entering her, chasing a toddler and looking after a newborn while recovering from birth. I'll just videocall them once a week and that will have to do. Unfortunately you can't please everyone.