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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not be asked by 60 children where babies come from?

38 replies

jipori · 21/01/2025 09:19

I'm a midwife and have been asked (along with others) to go and speak to my son's school year about my job.

They are in year 1.

I just feel like my job opens me up to a whole host of questions. Even from explaining how babies are actually born.

DS is very aware, but I know other parents aren't as open.

I love talking about my job, but I feel like this could end in disaster?

AIBU to say no?

OP posts:
Allswellthatendswelll · 21/01/2025 09:27

If you want to do it I would talk to the teacher beforehand as I'm sure (hope!) they have thought it through.

I do think you are right to question it though as although I think children should know I know from my teaching some parents can be funny about it. I've had parents worried I'm going to tell their children where the baby is etc as I'm currently pregnant! 🙄 It's on the school to have thought about this.

I think in general it's a nice thing to do though.

Coriol · 21/01/2025 09:26

Not in the least unreasonable to decline, obviously, but in practice much of it would probably be hilariously wife of the mark. Assuming this is one of those weekly ‘parents talking about their job’ things, DH (who worked in PL football) did it when DS was Year 1, and got questions like ‘Are the footballers allowed to go home after the game?’ and whether the local team’s mascot was ‘real’.

Alabas · 21/01/2025 09:26

just ask the school what they are teaching them and refer any questions you don’t want to answer to the teacher.

takealettermsjones · 21/01/2025 09:26

Oooh, that's an interesting one. As a parent I would be fine with this (within reason - e.g. I wouldn't expect you to go into graphic detail about episiotomies or anything), but not all parents have the same opinions of course.

If it's something you'd like to do, you could perhaps have a meeting with the teacher first and ask exactly what material they want you to cover, and what they plan to do if (when!) the questions about conception happen.

Halfemptyhalfling · 21/01/2025 09:25

I think you should raise these concerns with the school as they may have helpful protocols for this

ManchesterGirl2 · 21/01/2025 09:25

Personally I think there's no harm in giving them scientifically correct answers, and I think your job would be really interesting to the kids. But I can see how it might make things awkward with other parents.

Dror · 21/01/2025 09:24

Be confident in your decisions.

It's a stupid idea by whoever asked you. The kids won't understand any aspect of your job beyond 'I help women's babies be born', so a 5 second speech.

littleluncheon · 21/01/2025 09:23

Questions about how the baby grows or gets out are fine to answer.

Questions about how the baby gets in there can be referred to the teacher.

noworklifebalance · 21/01/2025 09:22

YANBU
You are not a trained to be delivering this information to young children. Their parents may have issues with what you tell them, however factually correct and sensitively you deliver it. Plus there is no particular need for a midwife (or obstetrician) to do this - you are massively over qualified for the age group!

TaggieO · 21/01/2025 09:22

I mean, technically you’d be talking about how they come out, not how they got in, so maybe it wouldn’t be a complete shitshow….? Grin

I think I would swerve this one like the plague, tbh, just in case!

Original poster
jipori · 21/01/2025 09:21

Dror · 21/01/2025 09:20

How could you think you're being unreasonable?

I was expecting people may say I am over-thinking it.

OP posts:
LittleRedRidingHoody · 21/01/2025 09:21

OMG I'd love to be a fly on that wall 😂

But you're not being unreasonable! I'd imagine it'll get back to parents what you've said and you'll get awkward looks or be avoided for the rest of time!

Dror · 21/01/2025 09:20

How could you think you're being unreasonable?

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