Pheew, I thought it was just me being selfish..

He does enjoy watching my trains run round. But no hope in anything else yet.

  Give him a few more months (4-6) and then resort to the old age cure if he still misbehaves like that.
Get him a 2 year old girlfriend that should disract him for a few years 

1. Ensure layout is in a room with a door,
2. Ensure lock fitted and high enough for kids or other half to be unable to reach it, and you keep the keys,
3. Fit good soundproofing to door, so you don't hear them knocking and crying on the other side,
4. Enjoy your layout in peace.

This another reason so many layouts end up in the attic/loft,  pull the ladder up behind you...

Quote from: porkie on June 23, 2013, 02:10:03 PM
As much as I enjoy being a dad..
,,
Am I the onlyone whos going through this or been here before?

Nope, and you wont be the last
Enjoy it, have some more, you'll be so busy watching (helping) them grow up you wont notice that you are growing old.
All of a sudden they will have flown the nest and you'll have plenty of time to shuffle off to the spare room* and play with your toys and be left wondering "where did that all go" and the free TV licence will soon drop thro' the letterbox !
*Shortly SWMBO will join you and pick up a paint brush or pair of sissors and
,,,


PS. and there wont be nobody to gainsay you perusing the forums at 1am

Anyone who has children will know exactly what you mean!

There are times in the day when you just want five minutes to enjoy a brew and just sit!

That said while I have been building my layout I have encouraged the kids to get involved!  The various processes and techniques have been explained and but aside any protectiveness of all but the most expensive of rolling stock and generally they have enjoyed it.  The younger one (4yr old) more than the elder one (9yr old) who would either go out riding his bike or sit and play (Xbox, Lego...all the usual distractions).

It will be tricky trying to involve a 2 year old but I'm sure there will be something he is keen to do!

My youngest is absolutely delighted that once the backscene goes on the layout (and it can be no longer kept in the dining room) that the layout will be stored under his bed.  Apparently at this stage it becomes his layout and not mine!

Your not a bad dad, I get the same from my 12 month old twin boys, then the 5 year old wants somthing at the times the twins don't.

I assume I'll get peace and quiet in a few years

Not a bad Dad, whatsoever!
Yes, it is important to spend time with the kids!
But, me time is also important!
To me, you were trying to say, it's when little 'un is supposed to be going to sleep that little 'un disturbs you!
This is what's known in the trade as "sod's law!"
Don't give up the hobby, it will be one of the things that makes you - you!!!