Please or to access all these features

Mumsnet classics

Relive the funniest, most unforgettable threads. For a daily dose of Mumsnet’s best bits, sign up for Mumsnet's daily newsletter.

To have not realised I have a professional vacuuming qualification that I didn't know about?

216 replies

Mrsweasleysclock · 04/03/2023 17:19

My dh was doing his version of the vacuuming today. It took 5 whole minutes!! He then told me I should hoover after him to get the edges, under furniture etc that he doesn't know how to get. I politely informed him that he could take the bulky head off and do it. His response, "I'm not a professional hooverer, you'll have to do it."

I cannot believe I have allowed him to touch a hoover when I am so skilled in this area. I of course hung my head in shame and set off for a 48 hour stint of grovelling. 🤣

So tell me. What professional skills have you all unknowingly acquired?

lighthearted he did manage to do it in the end.

OP posts:
Whiteroomjoy · 04/03/2023 21:43

Oldnproud · 04/03/2023 20:24

When my kids were young, they were totally in awe of one of my superpowers: I could hear a biscuit tin being furtively eased opene from any part of the house, and those eyes in the back of my head meant that I always knew when they were up to mischief. It took them literally years to realize that it was their silence that gave them away.

My superpower was being able to see through ceilings to dc actually, in reality they were mistaken -it was my expertise is audio deciphering that allowed me to know exactly where they were, what they were doing that they shouldn’t.

Blogdog · 04/03/2023 21:42

I don’t need to have any extra qualifications because as far as DH is concerned, we have one of these:

IglesiasPiggl · 04/03/2023 21:37

I am the only member of the household capable of finding something in a small space such as wardrobe, kitchen cupboard or suitcase. Things seem to miraculously materialise the moment I approach.

Whiteroomjoy · 04/03/2023 21:34

squashyhat · 04/03/2023 18:13

I got reprimanded today for not chopping kindling correctly out of some sawn up planks. It turns out however I am expert at axe-throwing so it buried itself in DH's skull the lawn.

I snorted my tea 🤣🤣🤣

StaceySolomonSwash · 04/03/2023 21:29

Mrsweasleysclock · 04/03/2023 17:29

I could definitely do with a fitted sheet folding tutorial. I'm rubbish at it. Right now I do more of a scrunch and tuck.

Sadly, I know there's a YouTube tutorial on folding fitted sheets. I've watched it. 😳

Pythonesque · 04/03/2023 21:27

Mine's the postgrad certificate in crystal ball reading and general future prediction.

If you do that then have you thought that you'll need that next? If we're not getting home till 9 then we'll need to eat before we go out, which means making dinner with time to eat it, which actually might benefit from the washing up done before that time.

Mistakenly I was also thought to have done an accompanying module in "knowing whether you'll want to eat when you get in late, or whether you'll have picked something up at the station on the way home", with special interest subject of "what do I feel like eating today?".

Aposterhasnoname · 04/03/2023 21:17

I can identify the correct pan to use for any cooking task. Frying an egg? You need the frying pan, chilli for ten people? That’ll be the big pan. This is apparently a task of such complexity that it necessitates phoning me at work for pan related advice.

N0tfinished · 04/03/2023 21:00

I have a professional qualification in Knowing Where Everything Is, Was, and Will Be At All Times. I am also a National Subject Matter Expert in seeing things that are broken and need to be fixed. I point these issues out to general astonishment. It's a national disgrace when the house we've lived in for over 15 years needs maintenance. I honestly think if left to his own devices, DH would have no running water & would be burning the furniture to keep warm.

Salonselectives · 04/03/2023 20:49

I am the finder of lost things, most of which were hiding in plain sight.

WarningToTheCurious · 04/03/2023 20:49

I am the only person in the house to have a Diploma in dust accumulation identification. I have stress tested this by leaving dust to accumulate and writing “clean me” in it. I am still the only person to notice.

Mrsweasleysclock · 04/03/2023 20:46

I'm actually getting so much satisfaction and laughter from this thread. Thank you oh incredibly talented mumsnetters.

OP posts:
Dogstar78 · 04/03/2023 20:40

IglesiasPiggl · 04/03/2023 19:54

I have a PhD in dishwasher rinse aid refilling. Nobody else in house is remotely skilled enough to carry out this task. I am also highly adept at knowing where somebody might have left random objects round the house, apparently.

I take it you invested in the top up qualification in adding salt.I would highly recommend the new extension diploma in cleaning the dishwasher arm and drain

Dogstar78 · 04/03/2023 20:39

hinterkitten · 04/03/2023 20:32

We should get together for a symposium. I will present a groundbreaking talk entitled "The Difference between Tights and Leggings"

Omg that's bloody brilliant.

Dogstar78 · 04/03/2023 20:37

I have a long and distinguished career gaining many similar qualifications. My specialist area would be analysing the 'finishedness' of a food or beverage item and its readiness for the bin; not replacing an empty or 99% empty packet or container back in the cupboard/ fridge.

Apparently all supermarkets require a special licence if you wish to purchase more than 3 times or items that are solely for your consumption. If you fox security and find your way in you must make a minimum of 10 phone calls to the licence holder.

In addition, it is understood I have a 7 year emergency medicine doctorate, 4 year apprenticeship in plumbing and hairdressing, extensive tailoring/ sewing skills. I am an accountant, child behaviour specialist and PA. If I fail to be able to answer a question related to these topics or other subjects including today's beauty 'will I need a transit visa for Qatar on the the way to the Phillipines' I am being difficult and/ or don't care.

TortolaParadise · 04/03/2023 20:33

chef
hair stylist
pet groomer

hinterkitten · 04/03/2023 20:32

DiscoBoots · 04/03/2023 18:08

I'm a world leader in telling the difference between a 5 year old's plain black socks and an adult human female's black socks.
Also remembering which patterned socks belong to which human. Two adults, one male one female, plus two different children. It's a lot to remember apparently

We should get together for a symposium. I will present a groundbreaking talk entitled "The Difference between Tights and Leggings"

HouseInTheMiddle · 04/03/2023 20:32

My skill is to be able to find the items of food/toiletries/cleaning products that are on Dh's shopping list and direct him to the exact aisle and shelf within the particular supermarket that he happens to be standing (probably looking lost & confused).

Yes, Dh rings me to find things in the supermarket instead of asking the staff, he says its quicker to ring and ask me.

He also tests my skills by doing this by ringing me from supermarkets that I have never been in (he works away in the week), how he survives is beyond me.

Ikilledthebabysharkdododuhdodudoo · 04/03/2023 20:31

ONLY I SHALL PICK UP JUNK MAIL FROM THE HALLWAY AND BIN IT!

No one else possesses this power - I know because I once tested it and it was left for 8 full days.

fivetriangulartrees · 04/03/2023 20:30

Triflenot · 04/03/2023 19:28

My husband and I did different courses in loading a dish washer.

Neither one of us recognise the other’s professional qualification.

😁

BlueBell50 · 04/03/2023 20:30

EnoughEnoughnow · 04/03/2023 20:12

Oh, me too! Do you also have the complimentary qualification of picking up the empty cardboard tubes off the floor and putting them in the recycling?

Yes, I am the only one that has that additional qualification 😂. Either that or cardboard tubes must be magically invisible to the rest of the household.

WarningToTheCurious · 04/03/2023 20:26

@JudgeJ Flowers

I remember one of DM’s friends being left completely bewildered with all the household stuff when her DH died because he had done everything.

JudgeJ · 04/03/2023 20:26

Oldnproud · 04/03/2023 19:52

I think I must be the most qualified person in the world.

The only 'skill' that I still lack and delegate to my OH is management of all car-related mechanical matters. I still haven't passed the 'knowing how to open the bonnet' module, though my 'making it known to OH that things such as services / MOTs are due' skills are very good.

I was the master of Never mind what the garage say and want to charge you, check the VW Forum. I once save us almost £500 because the identified fault was known to the manufacturer and was being done for free.

fivetriangulartrees · 04/03/2023 20:26

Although I can't claim to be an expert by any means, I have been studying Cutting the Children's Nails at the School of Why Me? for the last five years, after DP claimed to fail the entrance exam.

Oldnproud · 04/03/2023 20:24

When my kids were young, they were totally in awe of one of my superpowers: I could hear a biscuit tin being furtively eased opene from any part of the house, and those eyes in the back of my head meant that I always knew when they were up to mischief. It took them literally years to realize that it was their silence that gave them away.

Thepossibility · 04/03/2023 20:21

My DH does the bins as his job.
My eyes are more highly skilled at seeing that the bins are full and then I need to arrange a conference regarding when he might be free to empty them.