Any help please, I’ve messed up so badly

[ZoeRose81]

We went to check in on line on Thursday (to depart Friday) and realised our kids passports have expired. It’s just unbelievable disorganisation and general uselessness on my part. My mum booked the holiday - it is her 75th birthday today. And me and the children are not there. My husband has gone, as the villa is remote and she can’t drive over there (Italy) so it was a choice between that or cancelling. Mums oldest friend (64 years long friendship) died unexpectedly two weeks ago and she desperately needs this, so cancelling was not an option. Since Thursday night I’ve been in rallying mode. The kids have been out having fun non-stop, brave face from me. Harry Potter sleepovers etc. then I’m awake at 2am desperately trying to stave off panic attacks. I feel so awful and so exhausted. Appointment is first thing tomorrow at the passport office for the one week emergency service. Does anyone have any clue about how I can secure these as soon as possible? I’ll then have to sort flights and stuff. I know in the grand scheme of things there are a million worse situations to be in but I’m devastated and exhausted and autistic and after 72 hours of wearing the fixed ‘mummy will sort it’ smile, I’ve run out of everything

Appointment is first thing tomorrow at the passport office for the one week emergency service.

From the original post.

If it’s any consolation, DP used the one week fast track service last week and had his new passport in 2 days.

I’m really confused, why haven’t you booked the one day renewal service?

You can’t do one day for kids - one week is the quickest

I don’t think you can for children’s passports.

Don’t forget yours and partners passport details.

Your children will be issued with 5 year passports this week.

So whilst you’re sitting there on your phone now, set up a calendar event with whichever calendar you use (Google, Microsoft, whatever) with notification reminder for 1 January 2029 to renew your children’s passports.

Take everything you could possibly conceivably need.

And stop being hard on yourself. Everyone fucks up sometimes.

Wow.
😳☹️

Will your DH’s signature be needed for the renewal? You mentioned he was in Italy or are the forms already completed/signed?

OP, have you ever been assessed for adhd? It can coexist with autism. Guilt and shame can be part of it. Hope you're feeling better, all is not lost.

I’m sure that I’ve read on here that some people have had their kids emergency passports within a couple of days, so hopefully you won’t have to wait a whole week

I am wondering how so many people get caught out with this as you need the passport to make the booking? Maybe not for all airlines. I got caught out once by having only a single page left on my passport...... luckily no one noticed and when they did, the rest of the family had already gone through passport control so I was allowed through

That's what I queried upthread, Truetoself
I can't say if absolutely everyone asks for the API, but personally I've never not been asked to input it - and I travel a lot

No, you don’t. I’ve never needed passports to book flights. You just need your name, as long as it matches the passports and middle names aren’t even needed most of the time.

I’ve never been asked for it.

Blaming OP's mother is a bit much. Why should she check that passports are in order?

You do know your lovely DH could have also checked the bloody passports? Why is this your fault.

There are two adults he also is 1/2 to blame.

I hope you get to go and enjoy some time away OP and don't beat yourself up it's easily done and we aren't all sat here perfect and all screw things up.

This happened to my friends last year! They did the week long renewal but actually had them after 3 or 4 days. Good luck! Once you get there I hope you can move past your error and have a great time! X

Exactly what I thought . A bit rich to expect the GM to be responsible

Your husband should have checked the passports too. Why didn't he? It's not all on your shoulders.

There seems to be a lack of clarity regarding whether children's passports can be renewed using the 1-day service. I have personally visited the Liverpool passport office, and my appointment was in the morning; by the afternoon, we had picked up our passports. Regardless of the service you choose, they are very efficient, and your passports will be back in plenty of time for you to enjoy at least part of your holiday.

Oh bless you OP, you've done brilliantly to get where you have with all this.

I can imagine how you feel!

It's a mistake. It happens.
Honestly, give yourself a break.
Anyone can (and does) make this mistake.

I always thought you did, so before booking the kids' first trip abroad I applied for their passports. then when I booked (easyjet) it didn't ask for a passport number until very much nearer the time, so could've actually gotten them later and saved a bit of valid passport time.