Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

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

Things you can’t believe your teenager doesn’t know

671 replies

Annoyingwurringnoise · 26/12/2022 23:39

My teenage DS, who went to a Church of England primary school, does not know the song Little Donkey. I am utterly perplexed as to how this can possibly be. He’s been a donkey twice in nativity plays, once at preschool and once at school, but he swears he doesn’t remember Little Donkey.

What things have you found out your teenagers don’t know that’s just left you scratching your head in disbelief?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Annoyingwurringnoise · 27/12/2022 00:00

Bump

OP posts:
Queenmargery · 27/12/2022 00:02

I have a 16 year old and as far as I can tell she knows everything! 😂

Pearls1234 · 27/12/2022 00:04

I’m 32 and haven’t heard of Little Donkey? Should I have done? 😳

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

SouperNoodle · 27/12/2022 00:06

Pearls1234 · 27/12/2022 00:04

I’m 32 and haven’t heard of Little Donkey? Should I have done? 😳

Yes!!! It's a primary school classic!
(I'm also 32)

QueenSmartypants · 27/12/2022 00:09

I know of it, but we didn't sing it at my c of e school

Annoyingwurringnoise · 27/12/2022 00:15

I’m astounded, I just assumed Little Donkey was a staple primary School Christmas banger every child sang.

OP posts:
TinfoilTwat · 27/12/2022 00:17

My 14yo had never heard of Robin Hood.

saturdaymorningbored · 27/12/2022 00:19

Queenmargery · 27/12/2022 00:02

I have a 16 year old and as far as I can tell she knows everything! 😂

This 😂

Snoopsnoggysnog · 27/12/2022 00:20

My tweens had never heard of David and Goliath, it transpired yesterday while watching Erin Brokovich Confused

Findyourneutralspace · 27/12/2022 00:21

Little Donkey a banger 🤣

paintitallover · 27/12/2022 00:21

Queenmargery · 27/12/2022 00:02

I have a 16 year old and as far as I can tell she knows everything! 😂

Of course she does. Teenager know it all, the middle aged have seen it all and the elderly have done it all.

Snoopsnoggysnog · 27/12/2022 00:21

I will ask them tomorrow about Little Donkey!

Findyourneutralspace · 27/12/2022 00:22

My son held a whole lettuce in his hand and asked what he’s supposed to do with it. Apparently that’s my fault for always buying bags of leaves.

Tinktravels · 27/12/2022 00:34

I was doing a Christmas quiz on the last day of term with my classes,
Name the celebrity round and only one child all day got Madonna

MadMadMadamMim · 27/12/2022 00:39

My favourite conversation ever with a classroom full of 16/17 year olds was when the idea of Income Tax came up. The majority of them had never heard of this (socially deprived area). They were astounded by the idea that the government took money from your wages in tax and NI (before the days of compulsory pensions).

The best question I got from a pupil was an indignant "But what if you don't WANT to pay it?" Bless. The temptation to say, "Oh they just let you keep it, in that case," with a straight face was almost irresistable.

Spirini · 27/12/2022 00:41

A whole class of young twenty-somethings had never heard of Naomi Campbell. I couldn't believe it.

bluebeardswife7 · 27/12/2022 00:43

MadMadMadamMim · 27/12/2022 00:39

My favourite conversation ever with a classroom full of 16/17 year olds was when the idea of Income Tax came up. The majority of them had never heard of this (socially deprived area). They were astounded by the idea that the government took money from your wages in tax and NI (before the days of compulsory pensions).

The best question I got from a pupil was an indignant "But what if you don't WANT to pay it?" Bless. The temptation to say, "Oh they just let you keep it, in that case," with a straight face was almost irresistable.

He is obviously preparing to be rich Wink

iRun2eatCake · 27/12/2022 00:47

Couple of years ago we went to Universal Studios. There was a red phonebox where you could dial different numbers and hear stuff.

Anyway.... the phone was one of the old ones where it has a dial and handset.

The DC had absolutely no idea how to use it and were trying to press the dial numbers.

Chooksnroses · 27/12/2022 01:07

Not my 14 year old, but a few years ago my boss's daughter came to my work after school. She went to a very expensive private school. I was asking her about school and she was complaining that twice a week they had a combined service and assembly in the church. I was telling her that when I was at school every morning started with the Lord's Prayer. She looked puzzled and said "What's the Lord's Prayer?" So I said, "You know, it starts off with 'Our Father' and she said "Oh know I don't know that one, and I don't know that other thing either" I thought for a few seconds and then said "Do you mean the national anthem?" She again looked blank so I told her it was God Save the Queen" So she said "Yes that one...I don't know that one either. I must admit I laughed and she looked very hurt and said "Well, I don't even LIKE football!"

MeJane · 27/12/2022 01:51

My 19 year old doesn’t know any stories from the bible. Not even the nativity story. Or any religious songs. Not All Things Bright and Beautiful or Away in the Manger.

VariationsonaTheme · 27/12/2022 03:31

Two teenagers in this house, both have good general knowledge - apparently have never heard Good King Wenceslas!! The joke in the cracker about how he like his pizzas took some explaining.

CheerfulYank · 27/12/2022 03:36

The other night my 15 year old son was talking about the Confederate flag (we’re American) and then asked “so what flag did we have? The Yankees? Why don’t we ever see it?”

I just stared at him in silence until he said “oh…it’s just like…the regular flag, right? That’s embarrassing.” 😂😂😂

He actually does really well in school but my God he comes up with the most ridiculous questions sometimes.

TinfoilTwat · 27/12/2022 03:40

@Chooksnroses that's made me giggle

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 27/12/2022 04:01

@CheerfulYank good to see you!!!!!

HirplesWithHaggis · 27/12/2022 04:06

VariationsonaTheme · 27/12/2022 03:31

Two teenagers in this house, both have good general knowledge - apparently have never heard Good King Wenceslas!! The joke in the cracker about how he like his pizzas took some explaining.

Deep, and crisp and even, yeah?