Why do older parents forget what it's like to have young children???

elsien

motorguy wrote: »

:eek:

I might have some bad news for you...

I can remember staying in the car on occasions with sandwiches and crisps to keep us going, while family had a drink - just the one, we weren't there for hours. No idea how old I was though but not yet teenage I don't think. The checking we were ok was probably because they knew we'd be fighting rather than any safety concerns.

Then again we also got left home alone with a phone number and no babysitter from 10 or 11ish. Probably get done for neglect nowadays, and I'm certainly not advocating it as model parenting, but we were fine.

happyandcontented

I am sure they are not doing the trip all in one day, that would be madness. I agree with KimKim, we took our kids to restaurants from an early age and they usually rose to the challenge and enjoyed the adventure.

As for locking kids in the car........that isn't something anyone I know would have done so I do think it was unusual, at least I hope so.

maman

happyandcontented wrote: »

I am sure they are not doing the trip all in one day, that would be madness. I agree with KimKim, we took our kids to restaurants from an early age and they usually rose to the challenge and enjoyed the adventure.

As for locking kids in the car........that isn't something anyone I know would have done so I do think it was unusual, at least I hope so.

I'd assumed that OP would spend the weekend with his family. Why wouldn't you after travelling all that way?

Spendless

I remember an occasion when I couldn't go due to the time someone had organised. It wasn't a party, it was a funeral, arranged for 9am 100 miles away from home. I had a 9 month old (no problem, she'd have slept) and a very very lively 3 yo who was in afternoon nursery sessions. I remember being asked in astonishment why I wasn't attending and giving the reply 'because I can't find a babysitter who will start at 6am'

barbarawright

motorguy wrote: »

:eek:

I might have some bad news for you...

I thought sitting outside pubs with a Pepsi and a bag of ready salted while your dad had a drink inside was a standard feature of 70s childhoods. It can't have been *just* me...

ALIBOBSY

happyandcontented wrote: »

What mentality would that be then?

"Dinner" is generally eaten at 7pm or later, children may eat "tea" at 5pm, but adults usually eat later due to work committments. I don't know anyone who is employed who eats so early, they simply aren't home.

I wonder if this is a southern thing or a work in the big city thing as pretty much all my friends, family and aquaintances are employed and I can think of any who would regularly eat this late. My hubby would be chewing the table legs off by this time lol.

Occasionally if we want to eat alone for a special day of some kind we might feed the kids earlier then have a takeaway later ourselves, but TBH both being self employed with 4 kids its easier for us to have meals alone by meeting up at lunch when they are all in school.

Mind you going back to the OP we simply wouldn't go that far and back in one day, we would either arrange to stay over or not go, it's the distance not the time that would bother us.

Ali x

maman

You might be right that it's regional. My Welsh family always eat about 5.30 whereas in the south of England we always eat at 7.30 or later. I think commuting is common too which means getting home from work later.

Going out to eat for dinner is always 7.30 or later even in Wales in my experience.

System

barbarawright wrote: »

I thought sitting outside pubs with a Pepsi and a bag of ready salted while your dad had a drink inside was a standard feature of 70s childhoods. It can't have been *just* me...

I must have been posh then cause we were banished to the Childrens Room. Red terracotta tiles, murky coloured walls and next to the entrance to the cellar.... just in case we were naughty. The room was cold, lifeless and stunk of beer.:rotfl:

meer53

Older parents don't forget what it's like to have children. They remember all too well but they do what they want to do now, you will be the only one worried about your 3 year old. Lighten up, there will be loads of people who will entertain your child until they crash out ! I've taken my kids everywhere with me, they conk out wherever they are, lost count of the times i've carried them sleeping to the car. Kids have the amazing ability to sleep anywhere ! Wish i had

iammumtoone

Judi wrote: »

I must have been posh then cause we were banished to the Childrens Room. Red terracotta tiles, murky coloured walls and next to the entrance to the cellar.... just in case we were naughty. The room was cold, lifeless and stunk of beer.:rotfl:

Not all pubs had them. I also remember having to wait in the car whilst parents went in to check first if they had one.