There I was, Friday evening. Looking forward to the lay-in Saturday morning and a general lazy weekend.
The phone goes. Its my lad Steve. He's got a caravan down at Fantasy Island Ingoldmells. He's just found out that the pipe from the toilet outflow has been leaking. He's got someone going in at lunchtime and can't get the site people to sort it. Can I run him down to sort it out.
So there I was at 6.45 am outside Arbourthorne Mansions, and so began my weekend with probably the shortest visit to Ingoldmells in history.
9.00 am we are at the caravan. The pipe had become partially disconnected. Muggins re-connected it and with sealant and copious amounts of gaffer tape and a wood block to provide some stability, the job was done in no time. Which was fortunate 'cos the heavens opened. A quick breakfast (he paid) in Planet World (recommended) and we were off, along with everyone else who was leaving at the same time. It was nearly 10.45 before we got to Gunby roundabout !
What about my lunchtime pint. It's traditional you know to go for 1 (or 4) on a Saturday lunchtime.
Solution, don't go Lincoln way (everybody does). I use Louth, Market Rasen and, after dropping the car at home and hopping on the bus, still managed to get to the Blaccky for 1.15pm. All's well that ends well, but sometimes I wonder about why we bother having offspring at all. Maybe its just the fun we have making them in the first place..........

Ah but you must feel worthy.....:clap:

I wish my parents would be hands on like that...they wouldn't get out of bed unless it was a life or death situation!!

Well done I say!!

:thumbsup:

Thanks. At least someone appreciates me.

Ah well DaveP, you know there will come a time when the tables are turned .... and you will be the one relying on help from your kid(s)!

Oh brilliant!! :clap: I'm sure you're appreciated! ;)

Take it from me there will come a time when your son says Pay Back time Mom (or Dad) and returns the care you have given with love willingly.

hazel

If you go Market Rasen, Louth way just after MR racecourse on the left is a great place that sells B+T sandwiches etc.Don't go flying past as you will miss it,it is in a woodland picnic type area.

Aaaww well he's lucky to have such a great Dad who will come & help him when he needs it. I never would have been able to do that with my own Dad & we have a terrible relationship.

I am a Mum now to two little ones and sincerely hope that they would feel able to ask me for help should they need it -whatever it is.

Well done on being a drop-it-all-and-come-to-help Dad! Kids always remember the little things you do like that I think.

:clap:

Always be nice to your kids Dave because one day they will have to choose the nursing home into which we get placed. ;)

That's why I am driving one of mine to Edinburgh next month :D

I saw this the other day. It made me chuckle.



PARENT - Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,
none of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa


JOB DESCRIPTION :
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent
work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must
possess excellent communication and organizational skills
and be willing to work variable hours, which will include
evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless
sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not
reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.



RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at
least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing
to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical
stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60
mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams
from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be
willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as
small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and
stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars
and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan a! nd organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be
willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment
the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing
of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated
devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for
the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for
the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also
include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout
the facility.


POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for
years, without complaining, constantly retraining and
updating your skills, so that those in your charge can
ultimately surpass you


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on
a continually exhausting basis.


WAGES AND COMPENSATION :
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and
bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because
of the assumption that college will help them become
financially independent. When you die, you give them
whatever is left. The oddest thing about this
reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and
wish you could only do more.


BENEFITS :
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition
reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are
offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for
personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your
cards right.

===============
Isn't that so true? So, still want the job?

:D

ruby proceeds to pour cold water on the thread .... :P

It was very good of you to go to all that trouble for him, but how is he going to learn if you do things for him all the time.

If he's old enough to own a caravan, he's old enough to do his own DIY? If not how is he going to obtain the skills to run around after his own children when they want him to?

Maybe instead of 'show and do', you need to do some 'tell and let him do it himself' next time


ps - did you bring some rock back for us? :D

Thats what parents do, I always stop what I am doing or put plans on hold if my children need something.

My parents didn`t but that makes me all the more determined to be there for mine.

Originally posted by rosie
Thats what parents do, I always stop what I am doing or put plans on hold if my children need something.

My parents didn`t but that makes me all the more determined to be there for mine.

But when do they stop being "children" and start being independent adults? I obviously don't know how old your children are or what you mean by "something", but you don't mean that you'll be carrying them around for ever, do you?

Surely, there comes a time when you have to make it clear that you have your own life to live and that you can't always be at their beck and call, anymore than you expect them to be at yours. I'd only ask for assistance in the most dire emergencies and then only at their convenience. I wouldn't expect them to drop everything and rush over. Well not unless I'd broken my leg or something equally urgent :D

You always refer to them as your children it sounds odd to say "my adults".

Mine are 23, 20, 16 and 11. I have my life and I do what I want but I am their mum and until I die if they need me for advise, help or to assist them I will if I can.
Just because they are adults makes them no less my children and I no less than their mum.

People may think thats wrong, I dont care what others think, if I am happy and I dont intefere with their lives then they are happy.

I am not with them all the time but they know I am always around .

I dont want them to look after me in my old age either, I didn`t have children for that reason.

I agree - your children are always your children. My 17 year old daughter is still my little girl. How sad is that?

I do not think I will ever stop trying to help my children out - no matter how old they are. We are parents and we care. If we can - then we will.

Not everyone thinks the same way. Different people brought up with different points of view. Tis personal choice and if anyone wants to turn to their kids and say - no, you are old enough to do that by yourself, then fair enough. I am not going to be one of those people - no matter how old my children may be.

Dragon

well at 17 she's probably still at school or college and is therefore by definition dependent on you.

But when she's 45 and got kids of her own - will you still expect to be at her beck and call? And if you are, will you expect her to be grateful for it?

I think that parents owe it to their children to equip them for life ... and for men that means teaching their sons basic DIY skills at the very least .... (being very sexist now - but there's men out there that can't even change a plug! let alone jumpstart a car or replace a pane of glass :O)

Living your life for your children is a personal choice and provided you don't expect them to be beholden to you for it - that's fine. I just think that there comes a time when you should let them go and start living for yourself.

I am living my life for myself - but when my daughter is 30 years old and phones me saying "Dad - I can't get the electricity working" then I will go over to see if I can sort it out. This is not being at her beck and call. You do not do for your kids so they are eternally in your debt. You do it because they are always going to be your kids.

You can only prepare your kids for so much. There is no cut off point to their learning. I think the idea you teach them so much and then just disappear into the sunset is a bit harsh.

Just my opinion, and the references to 'you' are not aimed at a particular individual.

Dragon

Dragon

I feel exactly the same, I only wish my mum and dad would have been there for me, perhaps I would not always be solving my problems alone.

Thats why its important for me to be there for my kids whatever there age. Age does not matter when you are a parent.

Originally posted by rosie
Dragon
I feel exactly the same, I only wish my mum and dad would have been there for me, perhaps I would not always be solving my problems alone.
Thats why its important for me to be there for my kids whatever there age. Age does not matter when you are a parent.

ah well, there's the difference i suppose, i left home after college for a job in another city, and both my parents had died before I was 35 ... so i never got into the habit of relying on them for help.

I'd do anything I can to help my family and friends of course, provided I can fit it into my schedule. But I see many parents helping out their adult children, and then moaning about it (eg how much time they spend looking after grandkids and how much it costs etc) instead of getting on with their own lives. I just think it encourages dependancy on both parties and that's never a good thing for anyone (imo).

OTOH, If you're happy doing it ... that can only be good for you and your families.

At the moment I can fit it all in with a bit of skill.

They are behind me changing jobs and now working full time and the nutty things I do.
So we all back each other up and it works well.

Yes there have been problems and we are far from perfect but you do whats comfortable.

I do all I can to help my kids have an easier life than they would have if I wasn't around, and if that includes the use of "Dad's Taxi" and "any chance of a fiver Dad" (pronounced Daaaaaaaaaaaaad) then so be it. :)

i moan about my daughter all the time. i pay uni fees, insure her car, provide taxi's @4.00, pay for holidays, run mobs of them to the airport so i get a weeks peace. look after 3 horses,pull horse boxes trailers & finance everything.
but so what.
surely the simply act of generosity & love given & received is the true sign of a family.
i am from technically a "dysfunctional" family & i always ensure that my daughter is able to experience her own life, it isn't my place to forbid things or force her to do them just because i may have issues with them.
it is better to do it & regret it than regret not doing it.

Owdlad

Thats exactly right, I actually love it when the sad puppy dog person says "mum can I".

Yes. But sometimes you wonder when your 35 year old daughter suddenly rings up, and with a purry type voice says "daddeeee ??"

Your children trust you all their life, as you get older you have to trust them !

She hadn't called me Daddeeee since she was about 10, it had changed to Dad by then. So that's what made me suspicious of what was coming next.