My Daughter is suffering from homesickness
@Frischy (119)
May 2, 2016 6:08pm CST
My family is stuck here in Senegal for at least another month, and possibly longer. My poor daughter, who just turned 18 years old, is very upset about it.
We were only supposed to be here two weeks, and during that time get a visa for my step-daughter to come to the United States with us. But, the visa has been delayed while they ask for more documentation. They are going to call us to come in again in a month or six weeks to bring the additional paperwork they need.
Today is the day we were scheduled to go home, so she has been very upset today. She is threatening that if they don't give her sister a visa when we turn in the other paperwork, that she is going to go back by herself.
It breaks my heart for her to be this upset. She is practically on a hunger strike. Today she only ate two slices of pizza all day. Everything she eats, she says it tastes bad.
I feel terrible and I don't know how to help her. None of us wants to be here, but we don't have a choice. We can't abandon my younger daughter, who is severely handicapped.
Have you ever been very homesick? What would you do to help a very homesick person?
4 people like this
6 responses
@LadyDuck (470798)
• Switzerland
3 May 16
I have moved from my native country soon after I got married, I have been homesick so many times. Why not let your daughter go back to the United States and you will follow when you get the visa for your younger daughter? If she feels so bad staying there, it would be better to let her go.
1 person likes this
@Frischy (119)
•
3 May 16
She's 18, but she can't really travel by herself. She is blind and autistic. Even if we could get someone to help her on the trip, she can't take care of herself when she gets home. She's dependent on me, and so is my other daughter who is not allowed to come to the US yet. Our family has a rather serious problem right now.
1 person likes this
@rona07 (1641)
• Philippines
3 May 16
Oh i am sorry to hear this. I don't know how to deal with that. I know people who get homesicked but they didn't go on a hunger strike or something. Its okay to get upset and yea its really makes us super furious. Just let her know that you undersrltand how shes feeling coz i am sure you are upset yourself. Make her understand it was out of your control and that she should deal with it. She is 18 afterall. Sorry.
1 person likes this
@Frischy (119)
•
3 May 16
Thanks. She's kind of a young 18 year old. Not eat definitely affects her mood. She is a lot worse when she doesn't eat, but it's kind of hard to make someone eat. She wants McDonald's, I think. But, the closest McDonald's is in Morocco. That's a long way to go for a burger!
@rona07 (1641)
• Philippines
3 May 16
@Frischy yup, making herself hungry is not helping. I wish shell be able to consider the other member of the family too. But well shes young and we have to help her see things in different light. I dunno what ill do if my kids will turn into teenagers.. For sure ill be having this kind of scenario.
@Shavkat (139397)
• Philippines
3 May 16
I guess she is still immature at this point. I know it is terrible to be stranded in a certain place. But she needs to weigh down a bit. Don't worry she will come to realization and understand the situation. It is not always about her. We can feel homesickness, but then you are the family and she needs to sacrifice. It is a learning process for her.
1 person likes this
@Frischy (119)
•
3 May 16
It's hard at this stage of life. It's all about them. But, hopefully she realizes we don't leave family behind. We stick together and help one another. Thanks for affirming us in that!
@ricki_911 (21625)
• Toronto, Ontario
3 May 16
Sounds like a normal 18 year old. I can't say I have been that homesick.
@Frischy (119)
•
3 May 16
I think most teens feel like they are the center of the universe. I remember my oldest daughter actually told me that. She said, "Sometimes I feel like everything in the universe is revolving around me." LOL
