To declare that the worst aspect of parenting, after disturbed sleep and a general feeling of constant exhaustion that seems to be part and parcel of living with children...

[Ormirian]

is being a bloody taxi?

I know it's not a novel observation but it's struck me recently for the first time that I spend much too much of my weekend ferrying children about. Always have to a certain extent - swimming, karate, cricket, riding etc not to mention school disco and kids' parties - but it was limited and I could plan. Now they are older and more autonomous, it's worse! Because the call will come at any time: "mum I'm stuck in town and it's getting dark and x went home with his mum" or "I could walk to z's house but it's nearly 7 ...". And now parties aren 't next door or In the local community hall they're on a paintball park in the middle of nowhere and because we have a 7-seater we end up taking loads of kids home.

So when does this 'stage' stop then?

not till they leave home/pass their test/can afford insurance im afraid

so in reality, about 30 years of age

I don't drive.

Pahahahaha

Ooh I don't drive so it'll be dh's job and if he's not around they'll have to use public transport
luckily there's a bus into town every ten minutes where I live

Oh get over yourself ... if you had a child who was disabled or had a terminal illness, you'd know what hardship was

It's a toss up for me between that and the constant talking.

Difficult to call.

ah, classic parental error there

they never have 'change for the bus'

Public transport is your friend. But depends on the age of the kids.
My DSC's are wonderful at getting themselves around on buses/trains.

That's a bit harsh troisgarcons!

Yes, troisgarcons has been rather harsh of late, and this was uncalled for!

Do you know OP personally, troisgarcons? Do you have any idea whether she's skated through life unscathed by hardship and sorrow, or whether she has her own problems like everyone else but sometimes thinks / talks / posts about other annoyances because she has those, too?

I sincerely hope you're not going through too hard a time yourself, troisgarcons.

Lordy no, being a taxi is a piece of cake compared to the REAL worst aspect of being a parent:- Birthday parties.

Closely followed by friggin sleep-overs.

...and by birthday parties, I'm talking about the politics involved!

It's all relative, isn't it? Why should OP be cut down for potentially not having a terrible hardship? Jeez.

Besides, a little humour goes a long way. :]

I love being in the car on my own even if it is doing the rounds to pick the bairns up, don't think of it as a hardship OP consider it a bit of me time. You can have a really good think in peace or play Loretta Lynn CDs very loudly and sing along ' don't come home a drinkin' with lovin' on your minnnd' I often spend half a hour telling myself off as well 'cheer up you old banty hen' ect

Embrace it OP cos there's no point trying to fight it

Bloody sleepovers, I agree.
Mis-nomer of the century!

my dad used to come and get me from dances that were 45 min drive away from my house at 1am every weekend the summer I was 17...

it was a way of accepting that I would be drinking, but that he could to some extent make sure I was safe, becuase if he was coming for me I would have to stay semi-sensible.

I am now 20 with a drivers license, and whenever I'm home, my dad always enjoys having a drink and making me drive home, to pay him back haha

I don't drive either

Eek!

No I don't have a disabled child. Nor am I a lone parent. I don't have terminal cancer. Shit! Please excuse me while I go and count my blessings and then beat myself round the head whilst screeching 'never complain! Never complain!'

Better?

And thanks to those who noticed it was meant to be funny and not entirely serious.

Troisgarcons - I am very sorry to hear about your child. Life must be very hard at times. I guess you would love to have such minor worries?

I quite like driving and I find my time in the car ALONE a good way to get my thoughts in order ...

However, it is trying to listen to the radio, sorting out arguing children and dealing with their crankiness I find really draining .... who would think that getting out the car first would be such a prize ....

I use to get driven to things by my older brother - but his driving was so bad, I refused point blank to get in the car with him so my folks were back to being a taxi service ...

Public transport? Here? Ha!

Besides there is the element of worrying a bit about them not being with me, rather than they having to use their legs.

And I like me time as much as the next woman but as DH was in London today my 4 taxi drives required me to take DS2 with me so it wasn't so much peaceful as wearing,and he kept switching the radio off because 'he couldn't hear what he was saying'

My sons are 3yrs and 1yr and I swear I thought the same the other day - can't believe its started bugging me already - at least it helps me choose the primary school around the corner and stops me hankering for the one 10ms up the road, I couldn't cope with the commute!