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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not be able to make a decision (OLYMPIC RELATED)

88 replies

Gumps · 02/07/2012 10:19

So lucky us, we have 4 tickets for the Athletics which includes the Mens 200m final (come on Bolt get your act together).
The plan was always to take DS1 (5) and DS2 (3) as I was under the impression that DD (9mo) was not allowed to go. However now they have changed the rules and she can come, provided she is securely strapped to one of us.
So dillema is now what to do. Do I take all 3 which is what I feel I should do? Sport is huge in our house and I am a sucker for nostalga/historic events. I will feel awful in the future when the boys can say Olympics I was there and DD slams the door in my face aged 14 saying you don't love me you didn't take me to the Olympics (my mother has warned me of this scenario).
Do I just take the boys?
Do I take none of them?
I have tried in vain to get Olympic park tickets but all gone. I thought I could fool them into thinking they had had their turn and then take some friends to the Athletics.
Other points to consider are that we live in Richmond (not too far to travel but will still need pushchair which will have to be Phil & Teds with all 3), want to go and soak up atmosphere at Olympic Park and our session is 1830 to 2230.
Someone make a decision for me please!

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 02/07/2012 10:21

I can't think of anything worse than being stuck there with a 9 month old baby strapped to me.

I think a grip is needed..either for you or for your possible door slamming daughter Grin

mumeeee · 02/07/2012 10:23

I would leave DD at home it will be stressfull enough dealing with 2 small childrren let alone a baby, She os 9 months and won't even notice whre she is.

Ragwort · 02/07/2012 10:24

Are you sure that your boys will want to sit and watch all the events? It sounds a bit young to me, and I certainly wouldn't take a 9 month old. Are you even allowed to take pushchairs in?

Sorry, not much help Grin. My DS (11) and DH will be going to some of the events (I'm not particularly interested) but I am just not sure what younger children will get of it.(And will you enjoy it if you are looking after three children?)

Do you really think your daughter would be that upset about it when she is older Hmm?

GreenEyesAndHam · 02/07/2012 10:25

You could lie, and tell yr 14yo daughter that she was there. Not saying that's what I would do

But that's what I would do.

imnotmymum · 02/07/2012 10:26

leave the baby at home she will probably get grouchy in crowded, noisy environment. I am sure she will not go mental at 14 for not going to the olympics when a baby. Have fun!!

WorraLiberty · 02/07/2012 10:28

There's every chance a 14yr old won't give a low flying shite anyway Grin

And if she does, train her to high jump and tell her to get the fuck over it...

Nervousfirsttimer · 02/07/2012 10:29

Have you checked you can actually take a pram? I'm sure I read somewhere kids were allowed but no buggies/prams at any venue?

Original poster
Gumps · 02/07/2012 10:41

WorraLiberty I am pmsl at your comment. Our family is all in the 5ft region and definitely no high jumping genes.
GreenEyesandHam see that was my plan if I could get Olympic Park passes. See kids you were there! Why no pics inside the stadium? No cameras allowed incase it put off the athletes.
Ragwort I am now with you as I am not sure that the boys will sit through 4 hours of athletics either. My sister told me to take the ipad to entertain them - can you imagine the excitement of Bolt breaking a world record, the cameras zoom in on us and DS2 is playing Angry Birds.
I am pretty sure you can take pushchairs as there are pictures of pushchair parks on the stadium map.
My other problem is going to be DH. He is a proffessional sportsman and alwasy wants the DC's at events, even if its a complete PITA..
Is anyone else taking their children? I think I am having trouble with the guilt of doing something for us rather than focusing on the kids.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gumps · 02/07/2012 10:48

Can I add that I still want/think I should take them.
Help me!

OP posts:
GreenEyesAndHam · 02/07/2012 10:53

I think, that you are in a very fortunate position and if you feel that it's important to be able to say to them 'you were there', then you should take them. Take them all

It'll be worth a bit of awkwardness, and you'll never have to feel guilty.

BackforGood · 02/07/2012 10:54

Personally, I wouldn't take a 5 and 3 yr old, let alone a 9month old! If you have a choice, why on earth would you want a 9month old strapped to you for all those hours ? Confused. A 5 yr old (if they were the youngest sibling, or an only) I think might just cope, but a 3 yr old isn't really going to have much of a notion of the importance of the 200m final is he ?

ThoughtBen10WasBadPokemonOMG · 02/07/2012 10:54

I think it is far too late and long for the children unless they are very used to it.

PrincessOfChina · 02/07/2012 10:57

It him I'd take them, if you can structure the day so that they older two will be rested/excited enough to enjoy the evening session. DD should be fine in the sling if she's used to it.

We're taking DD who is 17 months to football, swimming and we have park passes to a variety of events for the Para's. She'll love it, although I've been careful to only sort morning events so she's at her best. Football is evening but I really don't think even she will shout load enough the to put the athletes off...

However, DP and I will probably also go to another event ourselves by buying those othe day fix if possible.

I've been to the Park already,there are buggy parks but I imagine they'd be busy. You should prob try and take something smaller than a Phil and Ted's. I think your only allowed a small, soft bag as well so be prepared for that with three kids.

PrincessOfChina · 02/07/2012 10:57

No idea where the it him came from at the start of my post...

ajandjjmum · 02/07/2012 10:58

Could you not go early, take DD in with you and get the photos, and then hand her back to your Mum or sister or someone else (any passing stranger Grin) outside the park. I'm sure there must be the facility to do that.

iseenodust · 02/07/2012 11:04

I would buy tickets to the Olympic football (very cheap & still available !!) and take them all to that. Enjoy the athletics as a grown ups evening out. All 3 of your DC are too young to really enjoy it and at least 2 won't remember anything of it a couple of months down the line.

PrincessOfChina · 02/07/2012 11:06

ajandjjmum I don't think you could do that - it's airport style security ANC takes a good while to get in. I believe it's no pass outs too.

You could try for Paralympic Day Passes for all of you, there may still be some on sale. Ours were £10 each for adults and £5 for DD. we get the chance to watch 4 sports that day.

MollyDixtures · 02/07/2012 11:16

My DS will be 8 months and I haven't even considered taking him. I just don't think it will be fair on him in any way. Too overwhelming, too noisy, too long a day. You have to allow 2 hours just to get in the stadium!

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 02/07/2012 11:32

Will it really be such a big thing that you will all still be talking about it in 14 years time? Hmm Your DD will probably only know about it in passing, and certainly won't care about something you all did when she was a baby. Do you care about things your parents did/didn't take you to when you were 9 months old?

Original poster
Gumps · 02/07/2012 11:35

Had a look at tickets and we can go to Wembley to watch the football very reasonably.
Rang DH to sell the idea of taking the kids to this instead of the athletics. Result? We are now taking the kids to both. Grin
He can't even contemplate the thought of leaving them at home and just kept saying it's Bolt but it's Bolt!
So decision made. Our kids are pretty good and we do take them to lots of stuff so hopefully it will be the amazing family experience we all want it to be.
Can I also say I don't always let DH make the decisions and he will be carrying DS all day long.
Thanks for your input everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gumps · 02/07/2012 11:39

PomBear there is a running joke in our house that my sister got to go to Chessington for her birthday and I didn't. My mum swears this isn't true but she has always been a good liar Grin
One of my close friends is a third child and she sayus she alwasy had to listen to things her older siblings got to do and she didn't so is fighting DD's corner. Any third children out there who are now grown ups who can empathise or rubbish this?

OP posts:
combinearvester · 02/07/2012 11:41

Ha I'm the youngest in my family and as a child I used to moan at my Mum that she took the other children but didn't take me on a special trip an ABROAD COUNTRY because I was two and she couldn't be bothered.

Then I had my own children and they are 4 and younger and we are going to the Olympics without them...

Don't take her, if she has her own children one day she will know why, if she doesn't then you can guilt trip her back for not giving you grandchildren Grin

Original poster
Gumps · 02/07/2012 11:47

Ah but your use of capital letters shows that psychologically it still affects you deeply combinearvester Wink

OP posts:
Pandemoniaa · 02/07/2012 11:55

I think it is going to be impossible for your dcs to grow up having been to every important or significant event. My dsd (youngest in the family) didn't get taken to Wembley for an FA Cup Final when she was 3 and while her brothers wind her up about it (they are 29, 30 and 33!) she doesn't view this as any sort of tragedy. My point is that you are not being neglectful or failing to allow your children to share (allegedly) great national sporting moments if they aren't old enough to enjoy or remember them.

Personally, I'd not take your 9 month old but if your dh is prepared to do all the carrying and entertaining late into the night then so be it. I have a suspicion that your memories will be less about Bolt and more about coping with over-tired small children, however.

fatmummy35 · 02/07/2012 11:57

I don't think the youngest 2 are going to be able to sit through it to be honest. I think you'll struggle with the older one too. My 6yr old DS struggles to sit through half a football match without getting bored/fidgety and it's something he loves!