Page 9 | Things from your childhood you are still salty over?

Fgfgfg · 26/05/2025 09:27

Being told off for testing positive for TB when I was 10. It was mainly because my mum was told off by the doctor for not coming with me to the appointment.

Mum telling me off because my brother pushed me through the glass front door (no double glazing or safety glass back then) and she had to take me to hospital.

I invited a lad I fancied to my 16th birthday party and my 'friend' deliberately got off with him.

The teacher congratulating Mark for coming top in the y8 maths test. Someone else got the same grade Miss C and you know they did! She hated girls.

BlueEyedBogWitch · 26/05/2025 09:29

AgentCooperdreamsofTibet · 26/05/2025 08:21

My beloved dog died when I was 12. I grew up with that creature and loved her more than anyone else in the family. She was very much my dog and I was happy to take on the majority of work involved in looking after her - I took her for three walks each day, even being happy to get up early to do this before school. I loved the peace and sanctuary of walking with the dog, away from the chaos of our house. I sorted out her meals very day also. I was utterly bereft when she died of old age but, after the initial grief had passed, I realised that although that particular dog could not be replaced, there was a gap in my life and it would be wonderful if we got another dog.

My parents said no immediately and mum went on a rant, I can still remember about how I would not look after it and that I didn't know the meaning of the word "responsibility". That's the phrase she kept repeating and it really stung.

I embarked on a project. I kept a notebook, detailing all the responsibilities I had for our previous dog and how I'd happily do these again. I made sure I still got up early, even though there was no dog to walk - I didn't want mum to say I'd become lazy and wouldn't be able to break the habit. I kept a note of all chores I did, especially without being asked, and all I did to look after my grandmother, who lived with us. I researched dog breeds at the library and wrote down all I had learned about the best match for us in terms of low maintenance and low risk of health problems. I looked after my friend's hamster when she was on holiday and made sure that my parents didn't have to do a single thing to help. I walked the neighbours' dog as often as I could. I included my school report which described me as incredibly mature and responsible for my age... I wanted to keep this going for a sustained period of time and then present the notebook to my mum after 6 months so that she could see how serious I was about this, and how responsible I could be. Of course, being 12, I couldn't keep completely quiet and would still ask from time to time about getting a dog and always received the same answer about not knowing the meaning of responsibility, always said in anger.

I came home from school one day to find that my mum had found my notebook. She was furious and ripped it up in front of me, still going on about responsibility. "Don't make me laugh", she kept saying. "You have no idea about responsibility".

Now in my 40s, she brings it up from time-to-time; the fact that I kept pestering them for a dog and wouldn't take no for an answer. She says that we were struggling financially and although it was sad that our dog died, it freed up a lot of spare cash and they did not want to take on the extra expense again. Would I have fully understood and accepted this at 12 years old? In all honesty, probably not, but it would have been better than the constant attack on my personality and I really wish she hadn't gone down this route. It made me doubt myself for years. By the time of the showdown about the notebook, it really wasn't event about the dog anymore - it was about me wanting to be recognised for who I was.

My heart goes out to 12 year old you.

Please tell me you have a dog now!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 26/05/2025 09:32

DustyLee123 · 26/05/2025 07:22

Being made to run a race at sports day because someone else was off, and I was always crap at running, so I was last by a mile. Parents were laughing at me. I still remember not wanting to run, being made to run, and the shame.

I had a similar experience, @DustyLee123, but with swimming. I was in none of the House teams for the swimming gala, and was going to be allowed to spend the afternoon in the music room, practising, when someone had to drop out and I was made to swim the 100m freestyle.

Not only was I crap at it, and came dead last, but because I wasn't supposed to be in the gala, I'd left my swimming costume at home, so was given one from lost property that was a bit too big and the elastic had perished, so it kept falling down to show my boobs, and I had to keep hoicking it up during the race, and especially when climbing out of the pool.

I was mortified.

Reachoutreachout · 26/05/2025 09:33

Ive read all of these and honestly bewildered by adults and what damage they cause. (Except the adults who didn’t get us a Mr Frosty because by all accounts this was completely the right thing to do!)

notnorman · 26/05/2025 09:39

Not being allowed to go to brownies cos it was common.
we lived in a council house- so not exactly lady of the manor

sashh · 26/05/2025 09:39

My brother pissing around so much I was about 30 mins late for my first day at high school. And I was late every day for 3 years because of his pissing around.

His school was walking distance and he needed to be there at 9.00, my school was at the other side of town and I had to be there at 8.45. My dad took us both by car.

I really wish my parents had made him walk, they would have only needed to do it once.

Suddenly when my brother passed his driving test he was able to get out of the house to drop me at school on time.

TryingToRecover · 26/05/2025 09:42

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 25/05/2025 21:42

I have an identical twin. At some point in our early childhood they decided that they’d concentrate on one daughter each.

Dad wanted my sister, I had Mum.

Dad would take my sis out (I remember once they’d been to Waterloo (or King’s Cross, I don’t quite remember) and they came in buoyant &!laughing as they’d met Windsor Davies.

Mum however, didn’t do anything; she could drive but refused to, so I’d be stuck in the house when DDad & DSis went out & about.

Mum was (and still is) very much a ‘I’m watching my programmes, so shut up’ parent; I think my love of books comes from having to have so much quiet time at home!

Dad was a ‘come on, we’re going out!’ fellow, and Mum really wasn’t so there’d be arguments a plenty because she’d rather vegetate on the settee. So he’d often storm about & end up taking Sis, leaving me behind with the couch potato.

DSis is only a few minutes older than me, but being the oldest she always got first pick of anything. Joint presents would end up in her room (like our shared black and white portable TV) and the hamster (SPG, from The Young Ones).

But the one that makes me sad (even as a crumbly 52 year old) was The Letter From Father Christmas.

We must’ve been around 6, and we both wrote to the old Post OfficeSanta address. I think I wrote mine on Holly Hobby paper & used my nicest handwriting (though I have no idea what I even wrote)!

When the last day of term was over, we came home from school and there was a North Pole stamped envelope with a card inside. Just the one, and it was addressed to my sister.

It had a wonderful picture of Santa & his elves busy in the toy workshop, with garlands and holly and & everything that, to a child, made Christmas magical.

Inside was a lovely message from Father Christmas, telling Sis that she wasn’t on the naughty list, and how good she had been that year. It even mentioned how well she looked after our (named) dog & cat, and that he was looking l forward to bringing her presents on Christmas Eve.

When Dad came home, he joked that I hadn’t got one as I must be on the naughty list, chuckling away and I just sat there big fat tears rolling down my cheeks.

My family didn’t do hugs or any sort of comforting, and I genuinely thought I must’ve been very naughty & thus wouldn’t be getting any presents that Christmas.

I think I had a little cry every day after the post had been delivered & there was still no card with my name on. It didn’t help that DSis would tease me about not receiving a letter from Santa & that I’d have no presents as I was so naughty.

When the last post arrived on Christmas Eve I remember just going up to my bedroom & sobbing into my favourite elephant (who still sits on my bed to this day).

Of course I really did have presents; lots were to share, so deep down I knew they’d end up in her room. It reinforced my daft belief that Father Christmas must’ve put me on the naughty list after all.

Of course my parents could’ve rectified the situation by writing their own letter as if they were the big guy, but that would’ve meant actually leaving the sofa (as Mum was my nominated parent) and it simply didn’t occurred to her.

I have written many letters & cards as Santa for the children of friends & family, telling them how good they are looking after xxxx pet, or brother & sisters, or how good they are for Mummy & Daddy, as there’s a bit of the little girl in me that’s still sad that Father Christmas forgot to send a card to her too.

This just about made me cry!
I’ll send you a letter from Santa if you want ❤️

TryingToRecover · 26/05/2025 09:45

SinnerBoy · 26/05/2025 05:07

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · Yesterday 21:42

I have an identical twin. At some point in our early childhood they decided that they’d concentrate on one daughter each.

Blimey, that's so awful. I've got a lump in my throat.

I was the same, at this post!

BestIsWest · 26/05/2025 09:53

Throwing the discus further than any other girl in the school but the PE teacher only watching the girl who was Netball captain and not seeing me. Netball captain got selected to throw for the school and went on to Welsh school championships.
Always felt I could have been in the Olympics if teacher had only watched me.

EleanorReally · 26/05/2025 09:53

being fantastic at 100 metres
but being picked for 200 which I could not do!

Deathraystare · 26/05/2025 09:57

Two things'

Went to London Zoo with the school. Mum had given me some money - enough for a postcard each for Mum and my Nan. I did not have a pen so could not write then and there. The teacher said one boy had lost his postcard so I should give him one! Yes, really! Even worse, this kid was one that came over to our neighbours with his brother and sat on the coal shed watching us while his dad and neighbours mum got up to you know what inside the house. The neighbour man and the other wife would walk shame faced around the garden. (Mum later told me about their shenanigans but before that I could not understand what was going on!). We hated those kids. This still really rankles with me. Really boils my piss. I was a good child and never answered back/argued so that was that.
I really loved my younger brother five years younger than me but it did not stop me feeling angry that his bedtime was later than ours had been at that age!! Obvs mum relaxed with him being the third and final child and paid for it as he really needed strong boundaries!!!

Latenightreader · 26/05/2025 10:01

Year 8 used to host a Christmas party for local older people and spent the Autumn term raising money to pay for it. We organised the entertainment and each class/group did something. We had been practicing for ages and really looking forward to it. When we were getting ready the girl playing Father Christmas in one sketch decided to repeatedly hit me over the head with the metal tipped pipe she pretended to smoke. I kept asking her to stop but she kept on and on, and in the end I pushed her and she dramatically staggered backwards into the pegs. Of course that was the moment a teacher walked into the room, and all her friends insisted it was completely unprovoked - not sure where mine were. I was told off despite being a ‘good’ girl and that lot having a reputation for trouble. I was crying so much with frustration and the injustice of it all I couldn’t go on stage for our song. I couldn’t get over how they had all lied and been believed.

Tragicmun · 26/05/2025 10:04

Being made to share the £5 I found in the street with my brother, but when he found £60 he was allowed to keep it all (after no-one had claimed it from the police station).

When our mother died he was given the house. I saw that one coming 🤷🏻‍♀️

zingally · 26/05/2025 10:04

Getting told off by my year 6 teacher for not returning a tray of science equipment to a cupboard on the other side of the school and made to do it... Thing was, I HAD already returned our groups tray!!
I remember grumpily marching this tray through the school, absolutely fuming!

Deathraystare · 26/05/2025 10:11

evtheria · 25/05/2025 16:58

Not ever getting a bookmark or keychain with my name on
it (because it’s very uncommon)

Being made to stand facing the corner in Reception ‘for not sitting quietly’ when William kept tickling me under the table, and when I had previously told him to stop (he didn’t) then raised my hand to ask to move chairs because of it and was refused. I will carry this grudge until I DIE.

That is what gets me with (some) teachers. They don't use their brain. Clearly the kid had been bothering you.

looselegs · 26/05/2025 10:14

My brother not having to do housework, but I did because it's not a boys job!
Thankfully he grew up to be a good husband to my SIL and does his fair share!

catatoniac · 26/05/2025 10:14

reesewithoutaspoon · 25/05/2025 18:43

Getting blamed for smashing the Christmas baubles. My sister and my brother did it then when the damage was discovered my sister said I did it and she was believed. I got the belt for that despite pleading my innocence.

Very sorry. Had a similar childhood.

SinnerBoy · 26/05/2025 10:17

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · Today 09:32

Goodness, that's another awful one, I feel for you.

LetMeGoogleThat · 26/05/2025 10:19

Not going to the public audition for Annie. I can't sing, but feel that if 7 yrs old me had gone, I'd be a world famous musical theatre star. My mun forgot.

SinnerBoy · 26/05/2025 10:20

8 years old at the school fete, I won a raffle prize. A bottle of Scotch. The headmaster, for some reason, wouldn't give it to me... he made me get my dad. Dad said he'd give me something in exchange.

Later, when I'd asked a couple of times, he snapped, "I gave you the money for the raffle! It's not even your prize."

Deathraystare · 26/05/2025 10:22

Misorchid · 25/05/2025 17:44

Music teacher gave solo piece to someone else for concert. The whole class shouted my name as I had a good soprano voice and he knew it. Don’t know why he disliked me but I went on to be a professional singer, so up yours!

When we moved house, my mother threw out my old teddy bear, given to me when I was born by my grandmother. We didn’t have much, so it was thoughtless.

Another thing that rankled me was a teddy bear. Originally my Aunt's and somehow I got it. It was threadbare (excuse the pun!) and I called it of all names Bush baby! Mum threw it on the fire when I was 14. I had just finished knitting pants for him and she knew this! She lied and said Dad had done it.

DaftNoodle · 26/05/2025 10:24

Not being allowed to take GCSE PE because was a girl, only boys were allowed to take it and this was in 1995!!
Still annoyed about it now as PE was my favourite subject and the only one I was good at.

Thelostjewels · 26/05/2025 10:24

@AgentCooperdreamsofTibet
Dreadful I think any child may have a chance of understanding finance issues more than having their notebook ripped up.

Nine hopefully would because we show them our accounts and what we spend where.

Deathraystare · 26/05/2025 10:26

Reachoutreachout · 26/05/2025 09:33

Ive read all of these and honestly bewildered by adults and what damage they cause. (Except the adults who didn’t get us a Mr Frosty because by all accounts this was completely the right thing to do!)

Yes exactly! I am horrified the way these parents thought. There seems bias towards older male siblings a lot of the time (hmm wonder how they turned out!).

I never wanted a Mr Frosty. I may have been aware of them I don't know. I did want a tiny tears doll but there was many incidents of their arms coming off etc etc so in reality I wasn't that bothered. Anyway I had a big 'Mary' doll who was lovely. Tiny tears was ugly.

tigerlily9 · 26/05/2025 10:31

Trying to set up a dinnertime club at school all by myself as a 14 year old and it didn’t work as it was out of control and got shut down.