ireland, great for kids.... but what about us??

[@katiemoseby]

I really appreciate your vulnerability in this video and I think it will help a lot of people. Sometimes I get stuck in the "grass is greener" mentality, but there are pros and cons to wherever you live. And being away from family of origin and existing community is a big con. I've been obsessing over moving abroad but at the end of the day, I know it would be incredibly isolating for me and I already struggle making new friends in America 😆But I can only imagine the hard decisions parents have to make in an effort to protect their children. As always, I wish you and your family the best and I hope your homesickness eases ❤

[@mcginnsteph]

Thank you Katie 🥹 I always appreciate your thoughts/ comments. I get stuck in my overthinking mind in more ways than one 😆 you’re a pisces too right? (hope I’m remembering correctly 🤣) well, being sensitive can be a great quality but that’s also challenging too lol (gotta blame the astrological chart a little 😂) …. wishing you absolutely all the best ❤️ and happy new year!

[@katiemoseby]

Yes, fellow Pisces! And I know exactly what you mean--it took forever just to construct my comment in the way that wanted to😄Happy New Year! 🎊@@mcginnsteph

[@mcginnsteph]

@@katiemoseby I’m the exact same 😆! 💞

[@catherine4958]

I'm happy for your honesty. I have pondered moving there for many reasons, and my child is a big consideration. The first US school shooting of 2024 happened close to where I grew up. But wanting a better quality of life is universal and your feelings are so valid! I really appreciate your channel and all of your authentic content. Hugs from America.

[@mcginnsteph]

thank you 🥺 means so much to hear, really do get nervous 😬; and want to have the right balance of positivity and appreciation vs what’s challenging. Hugs back to you!

[@Rebeka532]

Thank you for opening up. Don't hesitate to express yourself, even if it may come across as venting or even complaining. Believe me, we all engage in similar inner dialogues and doubts about our lives and decisions. We all can relate in different ways.

[@mcginnsteph]

thank you for the support!! 💕

[@CarmelNicoleBeauty]

Hey Steph, I’m glad that things went well with your mum. Don’t ever be afraid of talking about your true feelings - our struggles are all relative to our own lives and nobody should ever judge you for that! ❤️ I honestly felt as though you were voicing my thoughts and feelings in parts of this video! I moved to Ireland a few years ago and have definitely felt all of these same emotions. Torn between your happiness and what is best for the children. Wondering if you made the right decision and seeing no way back. Honestly, I’ve lived in a few different countries and I don’t think it’s Ireland specific, I think it’s part & parcel of being away from home. Homesickness can hit you like a punch in the stomach- and it really is gut wrenching! It can make you question every single decision you’ve made! So I guess I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone and that things will feel better soon ☺️💗 Sending lots of love xx

[@mcginnsteph]

thank you for sharing 🥹 I really appreciate hearing from you and it really is a bit of comfort to not feel alone sometimes. thanks for the support and kind words, it means so much 💕all the best to you! xx

[@kimugz]

I try to live my live as positive as possible. I am grateful for all I have. I know people in the world have it worse, so I try to look at it from that perspective. However, you are allowed to feel your feelings. Just because others might have it worse, does not mean you aren't allowed to want something else, more, better, whatever that last word should be. Life can be hard and you are clear across the world from your friends and family. That cannot be easy...especially around the holidays. You never sound whiny to me. You sound human. Cut yourself some slack! As for you and Gary, when I started dating my husband, I had a 3 yr old son. Four years later we had my younger son. We never really had "just us" time either. It was hard, but now that the kids are grown, we finally have the time to just be with each other and it's so nice. I was 19 yrs when I because pregnant with my first son and at first I felt like I was missing out, but honestly, I'm glad I was as young as I was. Not sure I would have the energy to have kids later. You and Gary just need to find time for just yourselves when you can. As the girls get older and more independent, it will get easier. Hang in there! {hugs}

[@mcginnsteph]

thank you for taking the time to listen and for a such a thoughtful and supportive response 🥹 (im in awe of all the kindness in this comment section) and thanks for sharing a little of your experience with me too.... the time does go by toooo fast! 😆and I remind myself of that all the time to help stay in and appreciate the present 💕 hugs, take care! 💖

[@timward3116]

I love your honesty, Steph! You give voice to the kinds of things that so many people wonder about, think about, and even worry about. Nowadays, people feel isolated because hardly anyone shares their true feelings. And yes, there are people who have it much worse off (like those being blasted relentlessly in Gaza), but that doesn't make feelings of homesickness any less real. The funny thing is that you are now also putting down roots in Ireland - so if you moved back to the States, you'd probably start missing Ireland somewhat. I think it was a good decision to raise the kids in Ireland. The US is no country to raise kids in, at least not unless you want them to be blithering idiots. It was the kind of day here in Phoenix that any Irishman would scoff at: cool (40's), drizzling, and windy as hell (a typical Irish winter day). The rareness of this treat transported me back to my winter in Cork, though - so I relished every second of it. Funny how weather and smells can take you somewhere else.

[@mcginnsteph]

Ah thanks Tim! I appreciate all your support! I really do believe sharing feelings is important (love the book “when the body says no, the cost of hidden stress” and the concept of not holding things in) I’ve found listening to others sharing very helpful myself. I probably would miss Ireland somewhat too, I definitely know what you mean about the weather, I remember certain crisp mornings reminding me of Ireland when I lived in MI (must have been in the fall when I was sick of the summer heat 😆, I know you get it even worse! Lol)

[@timward3116]

@@mcginnsteph Greetings, Steph! As always, I know you've got a family to run and things to do, so no need to reply (although I enjoy the chat). Yup, I think we take a part of every place we've lived with us - perhaps in proportion to the amount of time we've spent and what those times were like. If we have bad memories, we never want to go back; if we have good memories, we can't wait to go back LOL! I've never liked Phoenix, but I don't hate it, either. The vast majority of my life has been here and it is home. My mother loved Phoenix and never wanted to return to Chicago. And my grandmother from Roscommon had such bad personal memories of Ireland that she never returned or even wanted to return. Life's a journey. Sometimes the road is tough and sometimes not, but it certainly is interesting! Have a great 2024!

[@Livija13]

I'm glad to find a video with real emotions and struggles. You don't have to explain yourself and you have the right to feel as you do. I understand your struggles,the restaurant industry is really hard,my husband works in it and it has been hard for all the family (we have two sons). Plus,it was the holiday season so people feel more alone than usual,especially when their family is far away. I am sure you will find your way in Ireland and that it will get better with time. Wish you all the best❤

[@mcginnsteph]

thanks so much for this comment! ☺️…. Sorry you experience the frustrations/challenges of having someone in the industry as well! Wish there was a way it could be structured any bit better even though definitely a little bit unavoidable 🫤 lol; thanks for the support! Wishing you well too!

[@jaq837]

Steph, Happy New Year!🎉 January is always a very depressing month and its easy to feel a little down. I dont want to get too personal but I am thinking you are missing your mom. Living in Italy this was always my biggest challenge. The girls need their parents to be' happy too and you and Gary are young enough to move back to the states in the future oif Ireland doesntvwork out. The girls could always go to college in Ireland if they wished. If you were worried about their safety.

[@mcginnsteph]

Happy New Year! ☺️…. Yeah that’s totally true about January! 😆 definitely miss my mom too….. yeah the option to move back will be there hopefully and who know what the future will hold. I’m a blessed lady. Went for a nice walk in nature today and it really helped lol

[@jaq837]

@@mcginnsteph Nature can really lift our spirits. Glad you had the chance to go. It won't be' long still the spring!

[@jmee.lynnnn]

It’s all such a roller coaster and there’s no playbook on how to navigate it but I think the way you allow yourself to feel all the feels and express them is so good even if it feels less than in the moment. Never apologize or feel like you have to hold back, I’ve learned so much from you and appreciate all insights you share (the good and the bad), I’m anticipating to feel many of the same once I move over in a few months - one day at a time, Steph ♥️♥️

[@mcginnsteph]

well said and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to listen and leave such a kind and supportive comment 🥹💕 one day at a time xx

[@WinkyR709]

Being homesick hits at the wierdest times and is totally normal. If you went back to the states you'd end of homesick for Ireland :) The more friends/urban family you make there, the easier it gets (never fully easy). You're also in that super hard stage with the kids when they are all over the place with mom on chauffeur duty - that gets easier too!! I promise!!! If it's even possible, try to set aside an hour or two at least once a week for you and Gary to have "date night" - even if that means kids watch a movie while mom and dad have undisturbed tea time at 10am on a Sunday. But, if scheduling is too stressful than give yourself a break (my bathtub time was - mommy loves you, but everyone needs their space time) (they'll use that on you when they are teens so you might as well set the tone and get some time in too). Every day you get out of bed you've succeeded. And any day you can't get out of bed is a needed break too - be kind to yourself. You deserve it :) Big hugs from a California mom in Germany.

[@mcginnsteph]

I love this comment 🥹 thank you so much; all very true and well said and very appreciated! (And thank you for mentioning chauffeur duty cause oh man is that true 😆) but I know these times go by so fast so I do try to appreciate the present too 💞 take care 🫂

[@paulkinsella6536]

Homesickness is a strong emotion, and I can tell you miss the U.S. Maybe discuss with Gary about moving back when the kids finish school. It's a pity about the gun violence over there, because it's a great country. Ireland is expensive because we have to import a lot of stuff, and the government is too timid to take on vested interests. The weather can also be a drag. Hope everything works out for you, whatever you decide to do. Happy new year to you and family. 👍🇺🇸

[@patboland1650]

Honestly the gun violence is not really a massive consideration. Its real but you have very little chance of it affecting you. I really dont know where ''Ireland is a great place to bring up kids'' comes from.....its pretty ''1980's'' and outdated. You have all the bad stuff here now too. I have to say its very hard for an American to integrate in Ireland we are not as nice and welcoming as our ''marketing'' and its a hard culture to break into America is far more open. Education of course is massively expensive over there where as here its taxpayer funded. For this reason the time to move is early as you need to have college savings in place etc. The production quality on these videos is really high though......might pay for college eventully!?

[@mcginnsteph]

thank you ☺ happy new year to you and all the best!

[@Runtythestar]

My wife and I had kids when we were younger than most. We also weren't dating long before we knew our first was on the way. We didn't have family nearby and we didn't trust anyone to watch them. They were always with us. We did miss alot of social opportunities with friends. Decades later and our youngest is now an adult. Looking back now, I wouldn't have changed a thing. You can't go wrong investing in your kids. My love always said that we would still be young when they reached adults. She was right and we've been enjoying our private times together for many years. You can have it all. Just be patient as it may not be all at the same time.

[@mcginnsteph]

thank you for sharing ☺️ I agree; I am glad for how our journey has been. They definitely grow up too fast 😭.

[@Banana04218]

Steph, maybe if more people in the world were as conscientious, considerate and open as you, then it would be a bit less sh*tty. My point is, your voice, your experiences, your perspectives and your ability to share them are a positive contribution to humanity even if you're talking about something negative. A lot of people need to learn how to process emotions productively. You're an excellent role model. Hugs. You matter.

[@mcginnsteph]

wow this is such a nice comment 🥹 thank you; I’m still learning and growing but I’ve come a long way 😆 I know I’ve learned a good bit from people that share online (combined with reading and reflecting too) so I’m always glad if at the least, I can help someone feel less alone….. hugs! take care (: