Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Tell me a polite way to tell someone to mind their own business in this situation.

8 replies

payperview · 10/12/2018 12:06

For context: we were doing a family art course recently. My child either had a toy snatched from him, or he left it and it was picked up by another child. Either way, my child pushed the other. I told my child he had to sit in time out for a couple of minutes, a) to think about what he'd done, and b) to calm down as he was wailing. He would then apologise to the other child.
Another mum approached my child and started telling him it was ok, he can play in a minute, there there it's all going to be ok etc basically wouldn't leave it alone. This did not help, it only made him start wailing even more! I don't know why she interfered. It did not help and we had to leave because she made him start screaming.
Is there a polite yet assertive way to tell someone to fuck off to not try to get involved when I am disciplining my child. He did something bad and was being punished with time out. He wasn't shouted at, no harsh words said. He was calming down until she interfered.

OP posts:
Bunnymumma · 10/12/2018 12:08

I always think that a well timed "please don't interfere when I'm teaching my child proper behaviour" goes a long way.

payperview · 10/12/2018 12:10

Is saying "interfere" to rude/confrontational, do you think?

OP posts:
Crimbobimbo · 10/12/2018 12:12

I've had this once, beyond rude. I said 'we're fine thanks' in my iciest tone. Worked.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

halfwitpicker · 10/12/2018 12:17

What crimbo said.

Sethis · 10/12/2018 12:21

Perk up, smile brightly and say "Oh, do you want to swap? Which one is your child?" and rub your hands together as if you're going to walk over and start doing something with their kid.

Bunnymumma · 10/12/2018 18:17

I think interfere sets a tone that nobody wants to be associated with, so it's perfect!

payperview · 10/12/2018 18:17

@Sethis
I think that could be taken the wrong way!

OP posts:
Sethis · 10/12/2018 18:40

It'd sure as hell get them to stop messing with your kid though, for sure... Wink

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.