Staying Home reviews the lives of parents and grandparents deeply affected by their children moving and setting up homes on the other side of the world. It will uncover the masked loneliness, what it is like when the Skype call is over and how hard it can be to put on a brave face so their children do not feel guilty for leaving them behind.

In this documentary we talk to grandparents in rural Ireland who find living without their children difficult, lonely and isolating. We will also discuss how the online relationship with their grandchildren can be frustrating and not always a worthwhile solution.

To give the voices perspective we will talk to Trish Murphy a family psychotherapist who knows the emotional process parents have to go through when a loved one leaves for a long time.

Pat O’Neill, the founder of the Parents Emigration Network also talks about the unspoken truths that are often not discussed before family members depart Ireland such as deteriorating health, nursing homes, wills, death, and land.

As parents grow older, we discuss the difficulties in not being able to travel long distances. Then as young families set up homes abroad the cost for them to return home is often too expensive leaving only an online relationship between grandparents and their children or grandchildren.

Staying Home was produced by Caoilin Rafferty. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, as part of the Sound And Vision Scheme, supported the project. 

Quotes from Staying Home

“I’m very affected by it but I don’t tell my family how much it does affect me once their happy I’m fine but I don’t want to be upsetting them either”

“This country only cares about statistics…In total I have 14 people in my family gone but if you go to the live register it will only show you three…The input I have with my grandchildren is not the same”

“We are here every night waiting to Skype children it is very very lonely, very lonely”

Staying Home will be aired on Newstalk Saturday 21st June at 7am /Sunday 22nd June at 6pm (Repeat)