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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Glittertwins · 04/07/2012 20:35

In their first few months, they were subjected to The 6 Nations, F1, Wimbledon, football Euros, Tour de France and Beijing Olympics on television. We watch a lot of sport and do a lot too so it's something they are very used to and enjoy even at 4.

Ragwort · 04/07/2012 20:45

I still think you are mad to take young children to the games, I am not at all bitter, my DH and DS (11) were lucky enough to get quite a few tickets to events, I made a positive choice not to go. I am not particularly a sports fan and I think it is best that tickets go to people who really appreciate sport and will enjoy the events.

If you are taking three young children on your own I still can't understand how you (the adult) will enjoy the games, and what happens if you need to go to the toilet - do all four of you cram into one cubicle ?

vj32 · 04/07/2012 20:47

Its not the boredom for me, its the crowds. If you feel safe taking three small children into a massive crowd where they are likely to be pushed and shoved around that is fine but I certainly wouldn't. You will have to queue for food and water- so presumably that will leave one adult with the children for a reasonable amount of time.

I seriously think it is a bad idea from the safety point of view. If you have been to big stadium sports events, like a full Wembley stadium, you know people push each other and are generally not very considerate of others. Plus trying to get small children up and down steep stairs. I would say one child per adult max, and no sling if you are trying to watch out for a child.

Glittertwins · 04/07/2012 20:48

I would think it would be no different to being out anywhere with 3 children.

Nancy66 · 04/07/2012 21:13

Err - I did get tickets and i won't be ruining my day (or that of others) by taking my 2 year old.

captainbarnacle · 04/07/2012 21:46

I'm not afraid of going out in public with my three. I've flown across the continent with the three of them on my own, I've driven up and down the country with them in my own, I've gone to the cinema and the theatre with them on my own, I've gone out for 8hr days on bus, foot and boat with them on my own. I'm going camping at a small festival with them on my own. I have a bladder of steel and three boys who usually live up to expectations of behaviour. The Olympics just seems like another, exciting thing for us to do together. It just requires good planning on my part and we're away!

forevergreek · 04/07/2012 21:50

Mine won't be ruining the day for others and I'm sure a lot of people's young children won't

If they have been brought up going to events and waiting patiently it shouldn't be a huge problem, like someone said above its just like another day out in a busy area

( we live central London, it can be super busy at times every day- I still have to go out and look after them, we can't always have one adult per child)

Toilets the same as a what you normally do when out alone with them

Food- erm stand in a queue with one in sling, one/ two holding hands.

Its good they get to experience these things.

Just take whoever you feel confident/ comfortable/ happy taking, in tr end it's all your choice

joanofarchitrave · 04/07/2012 21:51

I'm the youngest of three and lots of things happened either when I wasn't born or was so small i couldn't go. This provided an excellent reason for me to feel hard done by, which your 14-year-old will value a lot more than non-existent memories of going as a baby. And really, as a phenomenally spoilt younger child, there weren't many other reasons for me to feel oppressed, so I would have been upset to have missed out on missing out. HTH.

subtext: killing yourself to take two preschoolers to the Olympics is quite awful enough, don't for goodness sake take a baby.

verytellytubby · 04/07/2012 21:57

Sounds hellish with 3 kids the ages they are. Couldn't imagine anything worse. Is another adult going with you? (loo breaks etc).

golemmings · 04/07/2012 22:13

We're taking out two - who will be 2.11 and 10m. We're off to the paddling. The kids spend half their weekends at paddle races so are pretty used to it and ultimately, I'm really selfish, I really, really, really want to go and to go on my own without ds means that he'll have no milk for 24hrs/my boobs would explode. DS will sleep in a sling and dd can play/colour/watch some racing/ sit and snuggle and fall asleep in dh's lap after an early start. It will be fine. I'm sure it will be fine....

vj32 · 04/07/2012 22:34

Has any one on here actually taken small children to a big stadium event? I am an adult and I find getting in and out of a big stadium like Twickenham or Wembley a bit scary at times.

forevergreek · 05/07/2012 13:24

Yes since babies they have been to a couple of football games ( here and abroad), rugby last year, and have sat through many ballets/ theatre shows which are a few hours long

They either join in or sleep

PrinceRogersNelson · 05/07/2012 13:27

You want to take them all so take them. Like you say sport is important in your family and therefore it will be an important part of your family history that you were all there.

If you don't take your DD you will regret it. It doesn't matter what other families would do in your situation it's what you want to do.

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