Adopted child -olympic tickets

[Aine18]

We were lucky enough to get 2 Olympic tickets for the athletics at the Olympic stadium...but far far more wonderfully, after a long wait, we were matched with our child for adoption in April 2012. He has very recently been placed with us and we couldn't be happier...He is 18 months old and we are very reluctant at this early stage for him to be apart from both of us. As I understand the ticketing policy re: children it would appear that if someone conceived after getting tickets, then they can take the child (strapped to them). Obviously at the time of applying for tickets we did not know if or when we would be matched with a child. Although he is over a year old, surely we are in the same position as someone trying to conceive and succeeding after getting tickets... he can be carried in a child rucksack, due to developmental delays he is not walking yet. no response yet from emails sent to the organisers...does anyone have any info...and no need to be worried about his response to crowds, foster carers took him to Wembley (football & concerts and he loves it!)

They have announced that babes in arms do not require tickets, but everyone else does.

I think 18 months old is unlikely to qualify, and there really isn't time to argue this one out, and the stress of attempting to do so might change your attitude towards the games.

Two possibilities:

a) give the tickets to someone else
b) enlis someone who will have a major part in DS's life to babysit (GPs? Aunts? uncles?). It really is just one day; you can leave him for some hours.

And congratulations on your new arrival!

I wouldn't email them - I would ring the helpline. I was doing this frequently before they (finally!) announced the rule change about babies. You're right that if the baby is under 1yr old they can attend without a ticket provided they are securely strapped to you.

I agree that your situation is the same as mine, in that I didn't know I would have a baby when I bid for the tickets, but I suspect the organisers might be funny about it because it won't have crossed their minds and they won't know what to say.

Good luck with your new little chap :)

I would go in on the angle that this is an unusual situation and they probably don't have a rule for it, and throw yourselves on their mercy. Ring or write, be really polite, ask if they could consider making an exception for you because it's an exceptional situation. (Obviously, also explain your dc won't need a seat etc.)

Good luck

Do you really want to have an 18 month old with you, on your lap all day? And go through the security checks, get there an hour before anything starts, 18 month old not likely to be really interested in proceedings... I think I would conclude it's more hassle than it's worth (we're not taking our 2 year old, she's staying at home with my dad for this reason!)

Either one of you goes with someone else, and the other stays at home to look after DS, or you both go (you probably deserve a bit of time, just the two of you?) and someone important looks after DS for the day.

Congrats on the adoption, hope it's going well

View it as a chance for grandparents/family to get to know LO?

sorry to be so blunt, but i wouldnt dream of taking a newly placed 18 month old with developmental delays to such an evenet. he is only just buliding his atachment to you, whereas presumably the foster carers had him for much longer. he will still be adjusting to you and grieving for his carers. neither would i leave him with anyone else for a whole day, just a few weeks into placement

one of you shoudl go or give away the tickets. you need to stop thinkimg like a young childfree couple and like the paremst of a traumatised special needs child. its not like parenting a child you gave birth to 12 weeks ago! please put your childs needs first, its good pratice youll be doingit for a long time

sorry i know that not waht you wanted to hear

I agree with Kristina. It's different once you have a child; you just can't go out and about in the same way. It's hard sometimes but lovely, too. Why don't either you or your husband take a friend and the other stay with your lovely baby?

I was a nervous wreck taking D's out for long soon after matching (soon being a few months). I can't imagine dealing with manic Olympic London as well as a newly adopted child. I would also have been quite distressed at being separated for more than an hour as would ds.

I would be surprised if you enjoyed it with or without him. Sorry.

It's going to be much more pressured than Wembley. The crowds and the level of hassle and security are going to be much more intense. And, as kewcumber says, this is very early on in your relationship. Not sure it will be fun for anyone.

Lie and say he's a year.

We took dd to world championship athletes when she was 9 months. Was a nightmare. Cramped seats so no room to change her or feed her properly and the cheers of the crowd (Mexican waves etc) scared her and too loud to nap.

Agree with the others, the olympics is no place for an emotionally-scared 18mo, he needs 24-7 care by his new mum and dad, his needs come first. One or other of you needs to stay home with him, while the other goes to the athletics with a friend.

I agree with Kristina and Kewcumber. I don't think it is a great idea to take him.

Either one of you go with a friend, or give the tickets away.

We had a big opportunity organised, which we gave up when we heard we had been matched with dd2. It just seemed better for everyone involved.

Congratulations on your new son, really pleased for you