Need to let off steam

Currently I love people who either get tickets for the wrong day or can't go after all.

We have just had a wonderful evening out. We booked a fortnight ago and the only seats available in the theatre were 2 in the dead centre of the first row of the dress circle, probably the best seats in the house - and we got them. I can only assume that the people who booked them originally had to pull out and they were put back on the market and we checked availability within minutes, if not seconds of that happening and were able to snap them up.

Thanks Doodle yes I am sure the boys will love the show. The boys will need lots of love and support when their mum moves out. Others have faced it so we will too.

nankate the boys will love your treat but most of all they will know they have a grandma who cares for them. Very important in times of change. Hope and pray that things go smoothly for the family.

We've done this and booked the wrong day! Most theatres are very happy to change days, particularly at such a peak time as Boxing Day. Good luck!

Absolutely Patsy. My dear old mum used to say in times of trouble ‘All the family needs to close ranks’ and that is exactly what we have done and pulled each other through the many crises we have experienced.

Great news NanKate. I usually find that theatres are accommodating, especially around panto time. Have a lovely time together. Not an easy time for you all, but you'll be supporting each other.

GrannyA it helps to know that others on GN such as yourself have experienced what DH and myself have in store. It has been 15 months of sheer hell for my DS and Us but we are on the brink of my STBXDIL signing the financial agreement. It took her 6 months to sign the divorce papers as she would not sign one for her adultery even though she spends a lot of time with her beau, but she would sign for her unreasonable behaviour. Anyway it is all water under the bridge.

I just want my DS to meet someone to love and care for him but it is early days and he needs to get used to the new set up first. He says he will find it hard to trust anyone again and marriage is out of the question, so no new outfit for me then ?

NanKate - so pleased you got that sorted. My son is a single dad and so I well understand the complexities of outings etc. that have to fit in with the schedule of who has the child/ren at any particular time. Fortunately my son and his baby's mum are genuinely 'co-parenting' and so there is a certain amount of flexibility. This year it's my son's turn (that of course means our family's turn!) to have the little one for Christmas. Hooray!

On second thoughts Debo maybe the Lion King is not appropriate, but I am sure you could find something they would like.

For any of you who haven’t seen my earlier comments DH kindly phoned the theatre for me and they were happy to change to a date when my DS has the boys, so we are sorted. What a relief.

I have as suggested highlighted in green when the boys are away from home.

Yes Melanie I have been careful never to have any verbal upset with STBXDINL but it has been very hard. I could be the conduit between both sides of the family so I am determined to be civil.

Debo what a very sad story. Perhaps you could fulfill your DD’s wish by taking them to a show, such as the Lion King, when they are older.

I think the theatre will change the tickets but they may make an admin charge on each ticket. In the past, I've had to make changes and I've been charged £2.00 per ticket.

All is not lost. You will probably be able to salvage the situation.

I don't know if you get on with your STBXDiL but you could perhaps try asking her if she minds swapping days.

Hi NanKate
I am pleased you got things sorted out. When I booked to take my GC to the christmas pantomime in DEC 17 I was told by my SIL that I would be 'diluting the children's memory of the last family outing the children had with their mother'. I was actually following my daughter's wishes as she was intending to take my GCs to the christmas panto but obviously couldn't as she passed away in April '17. She asked me to take them as she knew my SIL wouldn't as he never took them anywhere. Fortunately I had paid insurance of about £3:00 and I got all my money back. It's worth doing that in future and not rely on the theatre's goodwill. Better luck next time

Well done Mr NanKate! Glad it worked out okay!

Life's not fair Nannan2.

Id love to arrange something for boxing day or a holiday over xmas wk for one of my granddaughters but its also her birthday so shes always already booked! I cant always get to see her on the actual day either as we live in a different county but her other gran always does as she lives round the corner

Jacq10 the children are 5 and 7. The youngest has TOLD my DH not asked us the following ‘when Mummy and Daddy split up I am going to live with you and Nanny’. My DS had to repeat this in a Mediation meeting so that our DinL didn’t think we had put ideas into his young head. I am sure eventually they will get used to living half the week with each parent but the first few months could be bumpy.

Phew Marydoll my DH earned some brownie points for sorting it for me. He is like a dog with a bone when he want to achieve something, however in this case the theatre was very helpful.

Great news Kate

We have been in the same position as you but, although it was a fairly acrimonious split at the time, ex-DIL was usually quite accommodating (when it suited her!!) but I have the calendar marked up well in advance of our time with DGS as his Dad is quite often working when he's due to be with him and we step in. It's amazing how quickly children get used to things as long as there are no obvious disagreements within family. Of course a lot depends on the age of the children involved.

Sorry just seen your update.

Would you be able to explain to your DiL and then either you or your husband give her your ticket. It might be nice for the boys to do something with both parents. Or maybe there would be an extra ticket for her.

Oh just saw your update..so glad it is sorted

I hope that they can exchange the tickets.. otherwise you could sell them on a local community website or Facebook page maybe? Boxing Day is popular for the panto so they should be re-saleable either via the theatre or through another channel. Good luck and don't worry we have all done things like that!

Hope you will have a lovely time at the panto! Nice for everyone to have this treat to look forward to, and very generous of you to arrange. I do enjoy reading the kind responses to messages, and so glad this had a happy ending.

So frustrating, when you are being so kind. I hope it will sort out the way you want - if you can change for another day I hope that it won't be a problem. 'Have a lovely Christmas and panto 'experience' with them.

I get where you are coming from. There is no finally agreed timetable with my granddaughter, so one is never sure