[Muenchener]

But I think I agree.

I think I do too. At any rate I was a willing partner in the "don't tell mum" conspiracy after my lad's nose landing in the snowboard park the other week.

[fatdoc]

Just trying to add to the discussion... That once they are off down the slope / piste / track u can offer advice at beginning or end.. When they are in progress u may as well not be there.

I stopped following my lads on MTB years ago. Just meet up at the bottom, less stressful for all.

A berm is a banked corner, ridden without brakes leant over can sling shot a rider at speed... The berm is thus railed.

[Bubba]

Railing a berm:

[Oldmanmatt]

I think my idea was more fun...

Probably not old enough for that yet, though.

[rich d]

 

Railing a berm:

Has he got boreal aces on? Class..

[andyd]

An organisational NNFN. Bought tickets to visit my brother and family who live in Zurich. Flying next Thursday. The youngest's passport hasn't arrived. We sent it off three weeks ago today (the day before the passport saga news hit).

Tickets are non refundable. £800.

So, the options.
I go with the eldest (whose 4th birthday is on the Sat) and leave the wife and youngest.
Or
The wife and I take the eldest, leaving the youngest (11 months) with my parents who would drive up from Devon.

The first is a sh*tty option. The later seems really harsh and I don't think I'll be able to deal with the guilt. It is after all our fault.

[SA Chris]

Yeesh. Tough calls to make. My Dad flew over from SA recently, got his renewal 2 days before his flight. Good luck, might still turn up.

[Jaspersharpe]

That's a bastard. However, if the parents are happy to look after the little one (and  vice versa) then definitely go option 2 as at 11 months the sprog won't remember the trip anyway and will have just as good a time being spoiled by the grandparents.

Proviso being that the Mrs is also 100% happy with this too as otherwise it's obviously a non starter!

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

Tough one, console yourself that you haven't been as silly as we were....in a similar boat two days before we were due to go to Font with our two, we realised neither of us had even applied for a passport for our youngest, also 11 months old at the time.  Usual story "I thought you'd done it, no I thought you'd done it...etc".  Queue much phoning around and driving around to get one short notice...all in vain

The possible scenarios in your case....
1) Passport turns up in the nick of time 
2) 11month gets some quality time with the GPs, and you get a break sans Baby  (only go with this one if MrsD is able to leave babs and still enjoy her time away without stressing constantly. Mrs Obi was not able to do this!)
3) Eldest gets some quality 1:1 Dad time and MrsD has a break with her family etc 

Might be annoying now but it'll work ok, and you'll soon get over it.

In our situation Mrs Obi took our 11month old to the Lakes with her folks, and I got some quality Dad time with my eldest in Font. Even managed to give a lift to a friend so the ferry tic wasn't wasted. Looking back on it, all good.

Don't stress.

[Oldmanmatt]

I'm with Jasper and co on this one.

Having traveled a lot with toddlers in the past, realising they don't even remember it three years later, makes all the stress of bored kids a waste of time.

We also applied 4 weeks ago, for three out of our four and there's no sign yet.
Due to leave mid August. :/

[Duma]

On positive note me and gf have both had to get ppt replaced in last couple of months, hers (sent beginning may) was over three weeks, but arrived in a couple of days after she rang them (after about three weeks and two days). Mine (one week fast track, appointment was last Tues aft) took less than three days - arrived first thing last Friday. I'd say ring them, continue planning for all to go, but make contingency for otherwise. Hope it works out.

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

[We were told later...] You can't fast track a first passport. They have to get signatures from people who know you to confirm the kid is yours which can add to the delays.

[nik at work]

Just to echo everyone else I'd hope the passport turns up but if not I'd dump youngest on the gp's (assuming they are happy with this) and go and have a whale of a time. You can spend a lot of quality time with the old child without the new entry to the nest getting in the way, a nice birthday treat, and the young 'un won't have the faintest recollection of anything (and will probably have a boss time running the gp's ragged).
Whatever don't stress it.

[andyd]

Nice one for all the help and encouragement. Got home today and the passport has arrived. I called them on Friday and explained the situation. They were dealing with passports (if you called up) in order of who was flying first. They called on Saturday and Sunday, and emailed again on Monday. Really pleased with the customer service experience we received. Thank you Passport office people.
Now looking forward to a holiday with Mrs Donkey and the kids

[SA Chris]

Gute Reise!

[Obi-Wan is lost...]

 

Very glad to hear it, have a great hol!

[Jaspersharpe]

Nice one. 

[Muenchener]

Today's lesson: comforting a grandson who has lost a grandfather takes precedence over being a son who has lost a father.

This growing up malarkey never stops, does it?

[Oldmanmatt]

Today's lesson: comforting a grandson who has lost a grandfather takes precedence over being a son who has lost a father.

This growing up malarkey never stops, does it?

I don't know. I suddenly found myself doing all "grown up" stuff and holding my Farther and his two sisters tight, Holding my own feeling till later, when my Grandfather died.
Then he returned the favour when my wife died.

Then I had to grow up again to tell my children.

I feel for you and the children. May you find the strength you need and the peace of heart to move forward.

[andyd]

Today's lesson: comforting a grandson who has lost a grandfather takes precedence over being a son who has lost a father.

This growing up malarkey never stops, does it?

You've looked after your son and been a good Dad, for which I'm sure your dad would be proud.

My condolences. Chin up.

[Muenchener]

Thanks guys.

I suddenly found myself doing all "grown up" stuff and holding my Farther and his two sisters tight, Holding my own feeling till later, when my Grandfather died.

Was similar for me, I was in my twenties when my grandparents died. My lad is only eleven.

[bolehillbilly]

Andy Kirkpatrick talking on R4's Four Thought about parenting and allowing children to explore risk.

http://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/blog/view/risky_play
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/fourthought

It's made me stop and think about my role/approach as a dad again after a period of time being caught up in the day to day highs/lows and grind of parenthood and not really thinking about the bigger picture.

I always enjoy Andy's writing/speaking & thought it was worth sharing here.

[underground]

Absolutely brilliant, thank you

[fatneck]

Great stuff! I love his genial unassumability...

[SA Chris]

Any ideas for presents etc?

Any ideas off the wall or otherwise for 5 y.o. boy (other than LEGO) and 2.5 y.o. girl?

I can recommend this for 5 yo if you don't have it. Got it summer 2013, and it still gets a regular read, no other book has come close for longevity of interest.

http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/activity-packs/can-you-find...-1001-pirate-things-activity-book/9780857803054