A lighthearted one . Thought I would share some reasons lately that have meant I am a horrible / mean mother , according to my 12 year old:
I wouldn’t let him go bodyboarding on holiday for the first time ever , during outgoing tide when there were warnings of rip tides and no lifeguards around . Context - we were on holiday and said we would go but on this particular day it got too late . Myself and another adult family member there both can’t swim so I said we would go the next day at the times specified for bodyboarding with a marked area and lots of lifeguards present. Clearly, I should not have put his safety first and should have understood that he wanted to do it so any warnings were not applicable .
I wouldn’t let him just swim out to sea . Context - it was just before sunset, was sat at a bar on the beach and said he could paddle where I could see him ,just in the start of the water , like all the other children . He asked what would happen if wind blew his ball in to the sea , I said he would leave it. He argued that he had paid £2 for that ball and didn’t want to just lose it. Clearly , I should have understood this was a big purchase and that ball came before his life and I should have just said if it went out , he could just keep swimming and in fact, if he wanted to , just go the whole hog and swim through the whole ocean to the closest country.
I wouldn’t let him travel alone on a train 30 miles away to stay over at a friends house who’s parents I had never met. Context - that is all the context. He wanted to stay at a friends house, who had moved schools , I said it was too far and I didn’t know the parents so absolutely not and he said what if I get the train so you don’t have to drive me. Clearly , when he has only ever walked to the local school before , I should understand that he is almost a competent adult and therefore if he wants to make his way to another city to go and sleep at a strangers house , then that is his choice.
Anyone else been an awful parent during these school holidays ? 🤣