To have said no to my mum...?

[headfairy]

She wanted to take ds up to see the pageant on the Thames tomorrow, either I'd go with thm and take dd too or she goes on her own just with ds. I said no. I know it's a once in a life time spectacle but it's going to be horrendously busy and rainy.

Ds is exhausted, for the past week he's been begging to not go to preschool as he's so tired, tonight he desperately wanted to stay up to see his grandfather who he only sees once a year, so I let him stay up til 9 tonight, which means he'll be pretty tired tomorrow.

So was I wrong to say no to my mum? She's going on her own and I feel bad she'll be on her own, but I just think ds will struggle. He's 4 btw.

Leftfield, but could you go with her? Take a bottle and have a nice afternoon?

Narked... I think ds would be the latter.

Could you agree that if it gets really bad you will duck out and go home or somewhere less busy? I do sort of agree with the once in a lifetime thing but I know they are hideous when overtired.

I was thinking exactly that Narked.... If he goes I think I'd go with them and take dd too.

EightiesChick, I would definitely duck out if things got stressed, but we'd be over an hour away from home so i'd have to drag two shattered kids home all the way, cursing my stupidity!

Could you go and leave the DCs?

Aw, it's a once in a lifetime event and she chose to share it with your DS. Please reconsider and let them go. She will be made up.

Narked... Do you mean just me and my mum go and leave my dh with the kids all day? He'd kill me

Yes . Hence the wine. Consider all that lovely bonding time they'd have.

The thought of taking a 4 year old to something like that on a day that's going to have such bad weather horrifies me.

I'd have thought that they would have a much better time watching it on the tv, maybe making a cardboard box boat or something that they can sit in to watch it and join in with the spirit of the event. And then escape to play when they get bored of sooo many boats going past, then come back and dip in and out as they wish. Then have a nice day out in London together when it's better weather and not going to be so crowded. And invite your mum round for a nice festive jubilee tea while watching the pageant on the tv.

Op I think you've definitely done the right thing in saying not to take ds tomorrow - don't get guilted into letting him go!

I'm working all day on Monday so that would mean two days on his own with them... Dh isn't the most natural father, I think he'd implode at the prospect of two days alone with the kids. Not to mention the state the house would be in afterwards!

Zipzap, I think my mum's dead keen on going so she'll go on her own if we don't.

Is your mum the kind of person who likes a bit of company headfairy, or doesn't she mind being on her own out and about?

OP's son, 20 to 30 years from now, two possible scenarios:

1. Remembers the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, his lovely grandmother took him to London and they watched the pageant on the Thames together. It was a bit wet and crowded but the atmosphere was amazing. It's one of his first and abiding memories because it was something different from the norm and he felt like he was doing something very special with his grandmother.

1. Doesn't remember the Queen's Diamond Jubilee because he was at home doing normal stuff and catching up on some sleep, possibly remembers watching something on telly about it.

It's as much about letting your son be part of something historic and novel as it is letting your mum do something special with one of her grandchildren. I remember key events from when I was 4. I also remember the Silver Jubilee celebrations and going into London for them although I was a bit older than your ds is now.

You're wavering for a reason! if you're not too worried about how your mum will cope, if you're only hesitating because you think your son is overtired, reconsider and think big picture!

No she's used to doing things on her own, she used to travel a lot for work and she always used to go out for meals on her own when she was away. She's very self sufficient. But I'm sure given the choice she'd prefer company.

Oh cheeseandpineapple, you made a bloody good argument there

I'm surprised the 'Godslut' MN name was taken.

Does "Wawking" resemble squawking? Or is it more like wanking GodsSlut?

Godslut has been busy tonight. Pity nothing she has said has made any sense.

I was reading that as 'walks' TheHouse?

A London accent with someone who can only spell phonetically?

I can't believe anyone gives a shit about this being a "once in a lifetime event". It just some boats going down a river.

He's 4, I'd just ask him in the morning if he wanted to spend the day lopoint at boats with Grandma.

If he was into it I'd send them off together.

I would not go and drag a smaller child along.

Have you got any advice to offer the OP though GodsSlut?

Maybe GodsSlut wanks when she walks Agent? Maybe she/he is a cockney wawking wanker...doin the Laambeff WAWK!