EEA PR Form 85 pages – guidance on completing the form for a EEA family

[mrjohnsmith]

I have tried to find answers to my questions below on the board, but could really search the historical discussions (if there is a way, disregard below and please let me know!)
I am in the process of completing the 85 pages EEA PR form for a EEA family, wife and husband with 3 kids, married in EEA country, both lived in UK for more than 15 years. 3 kids, all born in EEA but back to UK few weeks after birth. Husband worked full time until 2014, then had some gaps and worked again full time from 2017. Wife never really worked full time, kids all in education in UK. So all 5 persons born in EEA, and all have been in UK more than 5 years. I have listed below the questions I have , it is really driven by the definition of sponsor: in my circumstances, am I defined as sponsor?

Questions
1) EEA PR form Section 2 (page 20)
I am assuming that this is irrelevant for my case, and therefore not completing this section 2?
However it is not clear to me, because as a father of my kids, I could be viewed as their sponsors? The definition of sponsor include “EEA national who is a qualified person or who has permanent residence”. However under Section C (Page 18), the first sentence is “if you wish to include your (or your sponsor’s) family members” this would imply that a sponsor is different than the head of a family?
2) EEA PR form Section 3 (page 23)
Under 3.1, I am ticking “I’ve lived in the UK for a continuous period of five years as a EEA (..)” and therefore completing only Section 5, 9, 16, 17,18 and 19
In relation to my wife and kids do I need to complete section 3.2? Again I am not clear with the definition of sponsor, am I the sponsor for my wife? And therefore shall I complete section 11?
Likewise for my kids ( are they deemed descendant of the sponsor, ie am I the sponsor?) and therefore shall I complete section 12?
3) Section 5
I am completing a section 5 for each person of my family. Under that section, for 5.2, it is asking “if you are applying as a family member or extended family member, or because you have retained your right of residence, date your sponsor entered the UK”
Here one again, I am not clear on the sponsor definition: for the Section 5 related to my wife and kid, shall I be defined as the sponsor??
4) Section 9
I had continuous work between 2000 and 2014. Then a few months looking for a job, some temporary job and then permanent job from 2017. In relation to section 9, shall I only disclose the period between say 2008 and 2014? Or do I need to give the full history? Is this section only related to the 5 years period ?
In relation to the 5 year period, If I am using 2009-2014, am I required to use the same period for my kids ( some were not born during that time?)
Also shall I complete similar section 9 for my wife (not working, mum at home) and for each of my kids (in education)??
5) Section 11 and 12
I just don’t know if I need to complete those sections.. am I a “sponsor” for my wife and kids?

I am completing section 1, 3, 5, 9,16,17,18 and 19. Shall I also complete section 11 and 12? any others
Also I have been told that I cannot use the online service (apparently using the period 2009 to 2014 would not work??), what has been the experience of the online service, is it faster and do people think I can use it ?
Finally how long does it take for them to complete the review of the form and provide feedback on PR?

Thank you very much

[mrjohnsmith]

Grateful if someone could look at the questions i raised or alternatively redirect me to an existing post providing answers to those.
Many thanks