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Original poster

Why is all MN kids are super clever/talented?

128 replies

BlackOrangeFrog · 30/10/2024 18:41

So, Other People's Kids will do something like...
Be free reader around 8 or 9. But all of MN kids are fluent readers at 5.

OPKs can swim 10m around 7/8 .. MNs? Well they did that at 4 and are now swimming 2k at 7/8

Oh your kid managed to add 8+2 in their head at 6? Well the MN child could do this at 3.

I think a lot of people are lying.

OP posts:
HalloweenHaribo · 30/10/2024 18:43

Of course they are.

It's the way it's always been, even before the internet.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 30/10/2024 18:45

Mine were completely rubbish early on!

Late at doing everything - referrals to OT, SALT, awful parents evenings etc.

They thrived as teenagers.

Not sure if that counts or not.

Original poster
BlackOrangeFrog · 30/10/2024 18:49

I just think it's annoying because you get a warped sense of "normal".

You're trying to work out if your kid is "behind" in something like swimming, and ask if your 6 year old should be able to swim 10m after 2 years of lessons.

And you're just inundated with MNers going "well DS could swim 20m at 5" or "my 6yo is a champion swimmer, we've run out of room for the trophies, he's actually competing in the U12 category and destroyed the competition, he's actually going into the U15 category today, and I suspect he'll have to swim with 1 arm tied behind his back, and weights to give them a fair fight"

OP posts:
Nightscroller1 · 30/10/2024 18:51

Mines isn't. Pretty sure they're dyslexic. At the age of 7 now and legit cannot spell, read or write very well.

Homework is agonising. They are trying their best tho!

But if I hear b a d, b a d, - cat?! One more time I might scream.

HTH

LadyQuackBeth · 30/10/2024 18:56

People are much more likely to comment on the things their kids do and they do well or really badly, depending on the nature of the thread. For example, I could say the swimming example but my DD is twelve now and still can't hit a tennis ball and gets her left and right muddled.

I would comment on swimming advice posts as I've been immersed in that world, I'd steer clear of tennis as know nothing and would reassure other people whose kids get L/R confused.

So selection bias, basically. Just remember these are not all the same kids.

worcesterpear · 30/10/2024 18:57

The swimming one always surprises me, but I think mine were maybe just not good at swimming or taking instruction.

With early reading, it is often a sign of asd and there seems to be a higher than average proportion of mn'ers children who are on the spectrum (which makes sense, as you come to a forum for advice).

HansHolbein · 30/10/2024 18:58

Mine aren’t! They are not academic. Just bog standard kids. However, they are very well behaved, have excellent manners, and give me no trouble at all. So there’s that?

AnnaMagnani · 30/10/2024 18:59

Everyone's own children are super talented.

I hated my placement in Paediatrics as I have zero skills around children. However I cottoned on that if you said to every parent how bright their child was, the parents gleamed at you and said 'yes they are, I'm so glad you have noticed' and you were then best friends for life.

greengreyblue · 30/10/2024 18:59

BlackOrangeFrog · 30/10/2024 18:49

I just think it's annoying because you get a warped sense of "normal".

You're trying to work out if your kid is "behind" in something like swimming, and ask if your 6 year old should be able to swim 10m after 2 years of lessons.

And you're just inundated with MNers going "well DS could swim 20m at 5" or "my 6yo is a champion swimmer, we've run out of room for the trophies, he's actually competing in the U12 category and destroyed the competition, he's actually going into the U15 category today, and I suspect he'll have to swim with 1 arm tied behind his back, and weights to give them a fair fight"

I was told by a swim coach that chn don’t swim a stroke before 6. Anything before is about water confidence.

Jojobees · 30/10/2024 19:00

Mine could swim 10m at 4. I’m happy to post a picture of his dates badge and his passport showing date of birth.
His brother however couldn’t. One of them swims at a national level now…..

shellyleppard · 30/10/2024 19:00

@worcesterpear inter

tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz · 30/10/2024 19:00

Mines neither of those but she's still bloody awesome 🤩

I've come to the conclusion now she's 16 that no one ever admits to having average offspring

shellyleppard · 30/10/2024 19:01

@worcesterpear interesting point about the reading. Both my sons learned to read early, eldest now being tested for autism and youngest is possibly on the scale too but undecided about the testing

Snorlaxo · 30/10/2024 19:02

My academically average son found something that he excelled in at college. He’s also very popular but that’s not a school subject either.

darksideofthemoons · 30/10/2024 19:10

So selection bias, basically. Just remember these are not all the same kids

It's totally this! The people whose kids might be struggling in one area wont post. Or, the people whose kids are fab at swimming will post about that but not mention the other areas their kids arent so great at. Its just normal to be proud of something and so post about it but not mention the not so wonderful bits.

It's kind of like looking at someone's instagram reel- you only see the impressive shots. Not the hundreds of other shots they discarded because they didnt look so great.

I'm always a bit surprised when people brag about their kid being a genius - I remember watching a tv programme about child geniuses when I myself was a child and all of them turned out to be extremely dysfunctional and messed up in adulthood. There is a lot to be celebrated about being "average".

surreygirl1987 · 30/10/2024 19:18

BlackOrangeFrog · 30/10/2024 18:41

So, Other People's Kids will do something like...
Be free reader around 8 or 9. But all of MN kids are fluent readers at 5.

OPKs can swim 10m around 7/8 .. MNs? Well they did that at 4 and are now swimming 2k at 7/8

Oh your kid managed to add 8+2 in their head at 6? Well the MN child could do this at 3.

I think a lot of people are lying.

Haha. My sons are not free readers. But my eldest is good at maths and could definitely do simple adding like that st 4 years old (not 3). He could also swim 25 metres at 5 years old. I don't think either of these things are that amazing though - every child has strengths and weaknesses. And he's rubbish at other things (he's autistic and terrible socially for instance!). Some kids just have spiky profiles. His younger brother can't do any of those things but is much more average across the board, which is easier to deal with. You have to remember that people on MN are likely to be more educated than the average in society (eg I have a PhD) and perhaps a bit more pushy with their kids when they're younger, which does make a difference.

BadPeopleFan · 30/10/2024 19:20

My daughter is a talented horse rider....she is utterly rubbish academically though! My son has a heart of gold and a work ethic like no one else, definitely not going to set the world of academia on fire though.
Considering they come from averagely intelligent (at a push!) parents they are both doing well in their own way so we are happy.

surreygirl1987 · 30/10/2024 19:21

LadyQuackBeth · 30/10/2024 18:56

People are much more likely to comment on the things their kids do and they do well or really badly, depending on the nature of the thread. For example, I could say the swimming example but my DD is twelve now and still can't hit a tennis ball and gets her left and right muddled.

I would comment on swimming advice posts as I've been immersed in that world, I'd steer clear of tennis as know nothing and would reassure other people whose kids get L/R confused.

So selection bias, basically. Just remember these are not all the same kids.

Yes - this! For instance, my sons are so unmusical. So I'm not interested in their musical prowess, so don't bother discussing it on munsnet. Whereas a parent whose child is an amazing pianist would post about it on MN as interested in discussing it. You'd only hear about her amazing child, not my unmusical child!

surreygirl1987 · 30/10/2024 19:22

AnnaMagnani · 30/10/2024 18:59

Everyone's own children are super talented.

I hated my placement in Paediatrics as I have zero skills around children. However I cottoned on that if you said to every parent how bright their child was, the parents gleamed at you and said 'yes they are, I'm so glad you have noticed' and you were then best friends for life.

This is so true.

surreygirl1987 · 30/10/2024 19:25

darksideofthemoons · 30/10/2024 19:10

So selection bias, basically. Just remember these are not all the same kids

It's totally this! The people whose kids might be struggling in one area wont post. Or, the people whose kids are fab at swimming will post about that but not mention the other areas their kids arent so great at. Its just normal to be proud of something and so post about it but not mention the not so wonderful bits.

It's kind of like looking at someone's instagram reel- you only see the impressive shots. Not the hundreds of other shots they discarded because they didnt look so great.

I'm always a bit surprised when people brag about their kid being a genius - I remember watching a tv programme about child geniuses when I myself was a child and all of them turned out to be extremely dysfunctional and messed up in adulthood. There is a lot to be celebrated about being "average".

Totally agree. I was an incredibly clever child but actually being super intelligent can be quite a curse. I've always struggled in lots of other ways (eg socially and emotionally). Average kids are happier in life. My eldest is like me, and I think he's going to have a much rockier future than his average younger brother!

Nasyan · 30/10/2024 19:27

Tall as well

30percent · 30/10/2024 19:29

The same reason everyone on this site claims to earn 100k + even though only 4% of the UK actually earn that much

(Clue it's something that comes out a bulls ass)

Spendingtoomuchonfood · 30/10/2024 19:32

My DH is like this about out oldest’s swimming lessons. She is average for her school class (I’ve seen them on school swimming lessons) but he is convinced she is amazing. She is an OK swimmner but this is not where her talents are. My youngest on the other hand finished stage 2 before starting school. Swimming maybe her thing but who knows what will happen next.

I’ve realised their talent is avoiding bedtime. Does that count?

camelfinger · 30/10/2024 19:33

I’m jealous of people with the bookworms or history buffs as DC, going on day trips to exciting places this half term. It takes all my energy to convince them to go to the local park or the shops.

MamaAndTheSofa · 30/10/2024 19:33

DS (10) came up to be a few days ago and said "Mummy. I did something brilliant."

I said "What was it?"

Him (grinning): I wore the same pants 3 days in a row!!!

So I guess it depends on how you view success, really.