Dad Jobs

For those of you just embarking on parenthood and already fondly thinking of the quiet life that awaits once the darlings have left home: think again.
This afternoon, rather than a cruise in the sunshine with the hood down, we went to our Sonya's in Nottingham to measure up for some new skirting in her kitchen. Had to take the big car because i take liads of of tools: because there' s always something else, but back to skirting boards......Which I'll end up fixing and no doubt buying as well. Then probably paint the walls after prepping. Etc etc.

Our youngest who lives in Bristol and who has been mostly estranged/ out of contact by his choice for the last few years ( he has Aspberger) emailed out of the blue to inform me that he'd appreciate my input on his new flat. In Bristol. So, woo hoo to renewed contact with Son, crap to the work involved. And the journey. It's been upsetting being suddenly cut off after years of supporting him through education etc. so will be nice to see him.

Other son calls regularly to plunder my garage for tools and materials for car tinkering. Usually when we're settling down for the evening.

The other two just ring up now and again. Which is good! :broon:

I bet you didn't think of all that twenty odd years ago after a couple of bottles of wine and the wife showing off her latest niggly giggly...


Ain't it funny, how time slips away...

Great stuff john. My step brother "came out" a bit ago after living his life in London for a bit. He was scared of telling my stepdad (his dad) as he was a deputy in the mines and is a local legend. It took dad all of ten minutes to accept and get on with it its his life and what makes him happy makes his dad happy (followed by a massive Sunday all day drinking extravaganza). Mally (my stepdad / his dad) has been to London 3 times now in just over 18 m

I hardly ever ask for help but when I do my parents know I really need help. It's more the other way round, they know I'm slowly building my tool emporium up and their getting older now so I go and sort jobs out for them now in exchange for baby sitting tokens and bottomless cups of tea.

I think as the girls get older I'll be tasked with similar jobs like you john. The thing is its quite sad but I like doing house jobs well any job really it keeps my mind active and you get to smile at the good work when it's all done. Plus you get to get your tools out / legitimate excuse to go to b&q (i've been 4 times in the last week).

Some nice reminiscent heart warming stuff up there guys...

Can I share? I'm 20months into building a relationship with my dad!! I'd not spoken to him in 22years before hand. But, after my mam passed away in 2010 I felt empty and something was missing. I finally plucked up the courage to get in touch with him, he's remarried some 30+ years ago and lives in Aberdeen, never had any more kids but has a stepson who is almost my age and is a real nice guy. So, long story short - although he can never fill the void left by my mam - we agreed past is past and we are looking into the future to build our relationship on trust and respect. A great start I think, since Nov 2011 we've rang each other or text every week - just for a brief chat or even a 'how's the family, ok bye' - but I got to tell you, it's a great feeling

Thanks guys

:broon:

Ah yes the Daddy Do-It syndrome, how well I know that one.
Both my girls have now left home to live lives of their own.
Just last Saturday for instance, up to my elbow in a blocked and very smelly drain, for my youngest. :nonod:
Still and all, it's niece to still feel wanted. :hugs:
I think.

John, I know this "Dad, can you just do this for me" was asked recently if I could take out a large four column cast iron radiator (take two to lift it empty)which i had fitted about a year ago, because one of the columns was leaking. The warranty deal was to replace the defective column rebuild the rad and repaint it. The supplier was also willing to pay a plumber £150 to take it out (bet I never see that) easy job, turn off valves at each end, drain rad, unbolt from wall and wait for son in law to help me get it down stairs. Magic/expensive TRV would not close off and no form of decorating cap came with it, the cap on the lockshield valve was a different thread and the thread on the TRV was some metric thread about the same size as 3/4" BSP but much finer. so could not use a 22mm brass cap!!! managed to put a locking pin through the head of the valve and closed it off!!! capped the ends after removing the rad. Now just waiting for it to come back.

I know you are thinking "why not drain down the whole system" ? well thats another story. Mu daughter even created an email address for me at [email protected] and addresses emails to Bob !!!! :slapme:

I have three daughters between 13 and 21 and a son.They all live at home with me and mom,our house is entertaining at best,chaos most times and i go to work for a rest.
As much as i thought middle age was going to be a blend of weekends away and our house being a haven of peace on sundays,looking back changing nappies and pushchairs up steephills,waking in the night on bottle duty,etc that was clearly the easy days.
All said and done on the rare occasion i am at home and nobody is in,it is too quite,therefore i am not looking forward to the day they all leave,i have spent that long being wanted for one thing or another i wont know what to do,however my eldest girls boyfriends are useless at diy and mechanics so thumbs up i will have some use if they buy a house.

Some great Dad tales here! Thanks. :broon:

I was recently asked by our Sonya to do some work in youngest Grandsons bedroom.
Tasks: move a radiator to under the window from a sidewall. Which would then cover a socket. Which also needed sorting obviously.

Maybe it's young people these days but when I said I'd need a day to do the work, drain down systems, no power for a few hours etc she was taken aback.
"Don't you just unscrew them and fix them in the new position?"

I left it to Sue to explain about pipes, cables, taking up carpets and floorboards, swearing time etc etc........ :whistle:

I expected better to be honest, being the daughter of an Engineer and a lifelong handyman at home.

In her defence, she is blonde. Like her Mum: well, gingerish to be honest.
Our other Daughter is dark like me. And is a Doctor. Genetics I reckon. :woohoo:
:coat:

Dave Baird wrote: I bet you didn't think of all that twenty odd years ago after a couple of bottles of wine and the wife showing off her latest niggly giggly...


Ain't it funny, how time slips away...

We began 35 years ago and stopped 23 years ago when we worked out what was causing all them bleedin' kids. 5 kids, 5 grand kids.

John and Sue wrote: Some great Dad tales here! Thanks. :broon:

I was recently asked by our Sonya to do some work in youngest Grandsons bedroom.
Tasks: move a radiator to under the window from a sidewall. Which would then cover a socket. Which also needed sorting obviously.

Maybe it's young people these days but when I said I'd need a day to do the work, drain down systems, no power for a few hours etc she was taken aback.
"Don't you just unscrew them and fix them in the new position?"


I left it to Sue to explain about pipes, cables, taking up carpets and floorboards, swearing time etc etc........ :whistle:

I expected better to be honest, being the daughter of an Engineer and a lifelong handyman at home.

In her defence, she is blonde. Like her Mum: well, gingerish to be honest.
Our other Daughter is dark like me. And is a Doctor. Genetics I reckon. :woohoo:
:coat:

My mrs and three daughters are all natural blonde,my lad mousy blonde (TURKEY not my favourite holiday :vulture:)i am bald? i did have fine dark kevin keeganlocks in the nineties you got me thinking :lol: