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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friends comments about our parenting

79 replies

plantlover77 · 13/04/2026 14:59

So basically we have a 2 year old and our friends have a 1 year old.

They constantly question our parenting and make comparisons and it is really starting to get on my nerves.

Firstly they often leave their daughter with the male friend's mum for days on end, often 3 times a week so they can "get a break".

We haven't ever left our son with anyone as both our parents are not an option due to various health reasons.

The only person is SIL but she is a full time carer to MIL.
They think it's weird and how we are holding our son back.

The other comments were made at Easter when they were astonished that we hadn't gotten any chocolate for our son.

We have never fed him chocolates as I have first hand experience what happens (all my baby teeth were rotten due to my parents giving me sweets etc).

I like to cook food from scratch and my friend often says "I make life hard for myself by not giving our son ready made meals".

They also smoke around their daughter and my friend smoked through the majority of the pregnancy and gets offended when I ask them to smoke outside the house when they visit.

AIBU to feel like this?

OP posts:
BudgetBuster · 13/04/2026 15:03

Genuine question... why are you friends with them? Parenting styles can differ of course but they sound like their entire life values are completely opposite to yours?

Credittocress · 13/04/2026 15:02

Well you know that anyone smoking during pregnancy and around a child hasn’t got a leg to stand on, so I don’t know what you’re looking for?

MiaKulper · 13/04/2026 15:02

YABU to be friends with them.

NewyearNC · 13/04/2026 15:01

This cant be real? Obviously they are terrible parents.