Left Behind

As the European Union expands eastward, many parents from Eastern Europe move to Western Europe to find better jobs. They often have to leave their children behind in their home countries. These children are usually cared for by grandparents or other relatives, but many feel abandoned and insecure without their parents. The parents also suffer. They miss birthdays, important moments, and everyday life with their kids, all while working long hours in a foreign country. This distance puts a strain on families. It shows a side of economic migration that is often forgotten: the emotional pain and quiet sacrifices made in the hope of a better future.