Old dog seeks new trick 10

[Old Dog]

At work now and yes you're right ganb8te, it's what I was thinking too (my goodness, am I learning?).

I'll see if I can draft a non-judgmental, validatory response.

Are you still in London? How's it going?

[gan]

Yes, you are learning and growing, OD. We can see it.

Still in London (til the weekend). Brought the good weather with me didn't you notice?

[Old Dog]

Many thanks for both your comments ;-)

[Old Dog]

I've had another text lecture this morning after our phone call last night.

S15 needs emotional support with preparing for this.

S12 needs assurance about how he will be catered for.

Between now and Monday I'll be continuing to do those things as best I can.

Then on Monday - additionally - the cat will need to be taken to the cattery, S12 collected, S15 driven to the hospital. And I'll be at work the whole day.

I asked you to be here from Monday afternoon to shoulder your half of the responsibilities. As the children's father. So their mother doesn't become overwhelmed. Not as a personal favour to me. It beggars belief that I need to spell this out.

Whatever you decide - at the very least you'll need to let S12 know in advance at what time / where / by who he will be picked up - both on Monday and on Tuesday.

How does this sound?
-----

I'm sorry you feel stressed, it is an anxious time for all of us. (The children are of course my main focus and I have no intention of shirking any responsibility. - should I include this?)

As my plans have now changed slightly and I have Monday free, I will be able to return in the afternoon and take care of some of things that need doing.

I speak to S15 about it every now and then and will of course listen if he any concerns. At the moment, it seems he doesn't need to or want to discuss it, so I will just remain available and positive for him.

I said I would arrange S12's cover and I have done. We discussed it with him and my brother last weekend and he is quite happy with the arrangement.

For your information, brother's wife was going to pick up S12 on Monday at 5.30 but if it would ease your mind a bit, I can take the cat to the cattery and then take S12 to my brothers on Monday. My brother will drop him off at 8am at whichever friend's house S12 chooses on Tuesday and Wednesday and pick him up from home at 5.30 on Tuesday.

[SunnyB]

How does this sound?
-----

I'm sorry you feel stressed, it is an anxious time for all of us. (The children are of course my main focus and I have no intention of shirking any responsibility. - should I include this?)

As my plans have now changed slightly and I have Monday free, I will be able to return in the afternoon and take care of some of things that need doing.

I speak to S15 about it every now and then and will of course listen if he any concerns. At the moment, it seems he doesn't need to or want to discuss it, so I will just remain available and positive for him.

I said I would arrange S12's cover and I have done. We discussed it with him and my brother last weekend and he is quite happy with the arrangement.

For your information, brother's wife was going to pick up S12 on Monday at 5.30 but if it would ease your mind a bit, I can take the cat to the cattery and then take S12 to my brothers on Monday. My brother will drop him off at 8am at whichever friend's house S12 chooses on Tuesday and Wednesday and pick him up from home at 5.30 on Tuesday.

OD, my edits are the way I'd want to hear it. It's not designed to be especially DB-ing, I'm sure Wonka will step in and take care of that part. I'm just viewing this in light of what I'd want my H to do:I don't need to know you've changed your plans, I don't need words to reassure me the children are your main focus. I need you to step up and SHOW me the children are your main focus by being there.

[Wonka]

OD,

RPP has got it covered with her editing. I'd do what she did exactly and hit the send button.

[Old Dog]

Brilliant. Many thanks RP. I was mulling it over in my lunch hour and thought there may be too many I's but it is action orientated I guess.

I will need to say I'll be back on Monday though as I left it as "I'll consider it". I'll just add the bit in red.

-----

I'm sorry you feel stressed, it is an anxious time for all of us.

I speak to S15 about it every now and then and will of course listen if he any concerns. At the moment, it seems he doesn't need to or want to discuss it, so I will just remain available and positive for him.

I will come back on Monday and take the cat to the cattery and then take S12 to my brothers on Monday. My brother will drop him off at 8am at whichever friend's house S12 chooses on Tuesday and Wednesday and pick him up from home at 5.30 on Tuesday.

[Old Dog]

I also added. "We discussed this with S12 and he is happy with it" and then sent it.

Just got a reply. "Perfect. Thank you."

It must be the only perfect thing I've (and RPP) done in the history of our relationship.

Oooh the sarcasm. Actually I'm not pleased with the sarcasm. I don't feel good about it.

I guess that's all part of development.

[Vanilla]

Perfect thank you

Sounds OK to me! I would not read sarcasm in it, read as if it were just a 'yes thank you'.

V

[Old Dog]

Oh no, it was my own "It must be the only perfect thing ..." comment that was sarcastic. Directed at myself. Doesn't help.