Whatever will I do?

United States
May 16, 2009 11:15am CST
My daughter is getting married next year and I really want to be there. She is a beautiful 27 year old with her life so very together. She grew up mostly in Nigeria and she is marrying a man from Nigeria which to me is GREAT. My problem is she wants to get married in Nigeria. Her father lives there and like I said she grew up there plans to live there with a second home in America. She will be graduating in December with a Masters degree and ready to start her life. My problem is when I get to Nigeria for the wedding I will have big expenses like air fare and food. Her fiancee has offered to pay for lodging so that is not an issue. I know the cost is about $2,000 to travel and I do not know if this is even round trip. I would have her sister to pay for as well. I am concerned about meeting her fathers new family and all her friends because I am so very introverted. This really takes me out of my comfort zone. I really want to be there for her but I am afaid I will travel all that way and be an emotional wreck. Any suggestions????
4 people like this
6 responses
@biggerb (2024)
• India
19 May 09
Its your daughter's wedding so its a big moment for you and for her.You should never miss it out.It will never come back to you.You will feel bad if you miss it and your daughter too will feel bad if you are not present.You get mentally prepared so that you don't get upset when you see your husband's new family.Just pull yourself together and face it with confidence.For your expenses just check out the travel sites that will guide you.You can also start saving up from now as you have time.You should be there.I hope it all works out well for you.Good Luck.
• United States
19 May 09
Thank you for bringing me out of my self centered focus on myself. I really do not consider myself to be an "all about ME " person.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 May 09
I dont think that you come off as a me type of person, you were worried about causing extra stress on your daughters big day.. And well we are all human, once and a while we have to think about ourselves.. In the end we are the one that have to deal with what kind of good or bad conquinces that is resulting from our actions.. No one else lives in your skin.
@sjvenden27 (1840)
• United States
19 May 09
You should go, yes there is the fact that you will have to see your ex and his new family. Your daughter would like you to be there.. and you have some time to save extra money for the trip. In addition to emotionally getting prepared, hopefully most of your worries will not come true.. You would go and be there for your daughter, its her big day. Not trying to be mean or anything but it would really hurt her if you were not able to show up.. If you are put in a situation where you feel really uncomfortable, and you dont want to be rude but you need to get out of the situation to regroup, staying focused on the reason your there come back to the situation it helps.. One way that I have in the past got away from the situation to regroup is a bathroom break.. so you took a couple extra mintues fixing your make up or something.. Its not something you would really want to miss... When I got married my mom didnt show up for my wedding... a part of me is still upset about it. Not trying to make you feel bad, just showing you a different view point..
2 people like this
• United States
19 May 09
Wow I never really thought my daughter would miss me... We do not have a strong Mother-Daughter relationship. This is due to much history beyond either of our control. I would never want her to feel cheated on her very special day so YES I will go. Thank you.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 May 09
Your weclome, I was not sure how you would take what I said.. Its sooo cool that you are willing to do this for your daughter, you problaby will never really know how much it will mean for her, for you to be there for her.. It will show her that regardless of the situation you are there for your daughter, and things surrounding the event wont effect the support that you have for her.. I wish you the best on your trip.
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
16 May 09
You want to be at your daughter's wedding but the idea of the social situation fills you with dread. My sister is really shy and so it her second son so I know how you feel. The airfare is expensive. It might be stressful for you to meet her father's new family. You have to consider what matters to you like perhaps accommodation in Nigeria is cheap so you could stay in a guest house with your other daughter. You have time to save for the trip. You have the option of not going if you can't face that situation. I am an experienced traveler but I can't think of an economical way of you reaching Nigeria. Good luck with your decision making.
2 people like this
• United States
16 May 09
Thank you for your input. You hit it right on the nose...I do have time to save and it is not HIS family I am concerned with it is the amount of people I will have to interact with that concerns me. I do not want to put myself into a situation that will cause me total stress to the point of not getting full benefit from a once in a lifetime experience.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 May 09
Go but don't dread or dwell on what will happen no matter what you will get through it with flying colors, remember your other daughter will be there with you. So it's not like your going alone. Even if she backs out closer to the time due to lack of funds... You will still know your own daughter, your ex and have a good time. Make sure you plan on being there as short of a time as humanly possible. However being there for the main event is really why you need to go and need to be there. Look back on this discussion if it starts to keep coming up in your mind. Save and watch the money stack so to speak and then you will see that really that is the main thing, having the ability to go and then just doing it. Meeting new people isn't your fortay but in the end it's not for that you are going. Being there for Your daughter and for Yourself is the only reason your going. Don't plan on any real site seeing and just plan on staying as long as is necessary for the main event. You are entitled to take off after that and do SO. God Blesses! Sandy
• United States
19 May 09
I will look back on all the positive responses I have received. This is truly a great place to get feelings out in the open so I do not have to dwell on them in my own mind. I am amazed at all the positive feedback I have received AND APPRECIATE EVERY BIT OF IT.
1 person likes this
• United States
19 May 09
It is a choice in whatever you do, if you go, it is a choice whether or not you allow yourself to become an emotional wrect, regardless of the circumstance that arise for you going to your Daughters wedding. It all comes down to what you allow to affect you or not. You should go for the simple reason this is your daughter and she wants you there. Sounds like they are willing to help with some of the expenses of you being there. If you fall short ask for help see what the family can do to help. Its one of those "once in a lifetime's" you shouldn't miss if you don't have to..
1 person likes this
• United States
19 May 09
I am being convinced by everyone that I need to go. And deep down in my heart I know I will be there. Sometimes I let things eat me up inside and that is not the right way to go about it. Thank you for all the kind words.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 May 09
The best thing to do is to join a great online site and get really involved and active. Then profit the hell out of that site! Good luck.
1 person likes this