Wednesday 5 March 2008

The Father of Girls

Great title for a song, don't you think? I wonder if Neil Sedaka's actually reading this?
Lastnight the Father of This Lot took the family out for a belated Mother's Day meal.
Well, when I say the family, I mean four of the kids. He's not speaking to me, so I wasn't invited. I know, Mother's Day without the Mother. Hey, stick around, it gets a lot stranger.


Now, before you all start hiring hit-men on my behalf (although if anybody knows a good one...no, forget that), please believe me when I say I was not remotely bothered about this arrangement.


There were two reasons for this:


1. United were playing in a European cup match, and the prospect of having the house to myself (the Football Fanatic being at the said match) to watch it, as opposed to running around a restaurant trying to find someone with a phone that receives live text updates was just too good to miss


2. The Father of This Lot has always enjoyed the thought that he has a lot of children. He has always enjoyed telling people he has a lot of children. However, his idea of parental responsibility and mine differ slightly, in that he believes that his starts and ends with paying for them. The actual 'down and dirty' of parenting has never held much appeal for him.
So, the thought of him trying to manage four of them in a restaurant for a three course meal......well, wouldn't you have done the same?


Actually, I've just thought of a third reason. I've been to this place before. I've seen the chef out the back having a smoke, and frankly, some of his personal habits leave a lot to be desired.


Anyway, this lot had a good time. Their Father looked rather ashen-faced when he brought them home. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost.


And the match?


Manchester United 1 Lyon 0


A good result all round.


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24 comments:

Casdok said...

I would have done the same. Dads need to do the hands on bit, so good for you!

Beth Cotell said...

Happy belated Mother's Day?!

Glad you had a nice evening!

Kitty said...

I'm liking your style ... good for you.

Oh and about that hit man ... if you could email me the relevant numbers/email addresses etc. should you find one who excels at his art? Splendid. Ta. x

Jennie said...

That's your Mothers day treat I'd say, being left alone for a while and let him do some of the parental work.
When I was younger my friend and I spent a summer learning the words to Neil Sedaka songs. :/

Mrs. Fox said...

Hmmm, next time he decides to be magnanimous you ought to feed the two youngest ones sugar all day and then send him out with them. :)

Autumn said...

I agree with Mrs. Fox, feed them sugar next time. I'm glad you looked on the bright side of it, it's always a lovley gift to have some alone time.
Our mothers day isn't until May, this gives me a good idea of what to ask for!

Em said...

Well done ! She shoots ----- She scores.

Swearing Mother said...

Ha! Nice one MOATL! It's great to have a bit of time to yourself now and then, glad you enjoyed it.

Gone Back South said...

Sometimes staying home with a quiet empty house can be better than going out!!! Especially when you know the kids are having fun somewhere.

Shrinky said...

Oh, God I like you! I'm making him go on holiday with our lot this year without me (bliss).

The sod works away and escapes all the time!

I can feel a bonding coming on here (titter).

david mcmahon said...

Big dinner, you like the results.
So can we conclude that Father got his just desserts?

Just askin' .....

Cath said...

Brilliant. Absolute masterpiece.
Well done you. And I agree with the sugar bit before he takes them out - even better, blue smarties! Ha Ha Ha!
The piece de resistance would have been to insist he order, pay for and have delivered a take out of your choice with a large bottle of wine to enjoy at home whilst he celebrates your Mother's Day meal with your daughters!

the rotten correspondent said...

I think that sounds like a win-win situation all around. For you anyway. But admit it, wouldn't you have loved to have been a fly on the wall to watch him squirm in the restaurant?

I sure would have. But I'll bet you're a much better person than I am.

Casdok said...

Im back again! Theres an award for you over at mine!

Anon said...

Love it!

I'm on my own this morning while Chef takes Spud food shopping. He'll come home with 200e of *rap and ask me what's for dinner...


http://tootsie.wordpress.com/

Merisi said...

Happy belated Mother's Day!
Great decision, congratulations. :-)


I followed David today.

Maggie May said...

Well lets hope he found something nasty in his stir fry!

Daryl said...

Ah I might have been tempted to be a fly on the wall at the restaurant ... wait, no .. well maybe....

And I was coming here anyway but I am tickled David sent (some of) the others.

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Have been catching up on your blog - I love it. It rings lots of bells with me, though I didn't have "your lot", only two. So Pleased you had a bit of peace and quiet on your own - and he was doing the entertaining and paying.
Good division of labour! M :)

Kat said...

Fab post! It is a Mother's Day present of sorts, to have the house to yourself.
I came over from David's blog.
Nice blog you have here! :)

San said...

A brilliant Mother's day present to yourself. My kids are young adults now. But how I remember those rare times of solitude. And quietude!

Came over from David's. Happy I did.

Anonymous said...

How do you DO that? You somehow manage to take a rather pitiful situation and make me LAUGH OUT LOUD! Oh, my, not too many people can do that for me anymore. Laughing (really laughing) gets a lot rarer the older you get, ever notice that?

Well, what can you say? That Father - at least he's good for a laugh.

I wonder if the kids think so, though...? Maybe one day they will be inspired by your ability to turn it all on its head.

Amrita said...

Celebrate Fathers day sans father.

Amrita said...

Celebrate Fathers day sans father.