to really hate the phrase "this too shall pass"

[ClimberChick]

or words to that effect when describing difficult phases that our children are going through.

I know it's suppose to be helpful, but it really annoys me. In no way do I find it reassuring.

But I'm probably just being grumpy (blame the sleep deprivation that at some point in the undefined future shall pass)

IKWYM, it is a bit annoying, but YABU because it is very true...unfortunately, by the time one phase has passed, another one is just starting up.

It is NEVER ENDING...

so, um, YANBU after all..

it does though

[runs]

I know what you mean. So YANBU.

Personally, "this too shall pass" is one of my favourite mantras.

I repeat ad nauseum and it does afford me some comfort when the kids are particularly atrocious.

oh no, I'm feeling better already. That means in some round about way the phrase has been useful. Damn

See, I LOVE it and regularly trot it out because the first 12 weeks of my daughter's life would have been so different if anyone had explained the concept to me. In my fug of hormones and sleep deprivation I genuinely thought I would never have a nice bath again, or sleep through the night again, or spend more than 20 minutes without sick on my shoulder, or go to the loo without background screaming, or leave the house without hours of planning. Much weeping could have been spared with these kind and helpful, optimistic little words.

I hate it too. It just seems like someone trying to be profound, especially if they pause to give me the derivation...

Can we extend this to other irritating mantras - I loathe "in this day and age" with a passion. It just somehow implies to me that the speaker left their brains at the door and replaced it with a sackfull of cliches to mutter at approriate times.

It is a spectacularly shit phrase.

Every time I read it on here I do a little shudder.

Oh SMA that's exactly it 'trying to be profound'.

Just say 'it won't last forever' ffs.

This to shall pass, blergh.

Actually AH now I reconsider, maybe we're just being cumudgeonly, I mean it really does have depth doesn't it - the way it can refer to good times, and bad; How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!

(What's wrong with "it's just a phase")

YANBU, it's pretentious & supposedly profound, ugh. The meaning is true though, but there are much simpler phrases that can be used :)

Let hope the repeatative spouting of ridiculous phrases is just a phase.

'This too shall pass' is not something anyone would actually say in RL is it ? God I hope it isn't, it's bad enough seeing it in type.

Hmmmm, not sure.

I don't particularly like the phrase but it does seem to offer many posters comfort.

I hate "oh, it is just a phase" as my mum uses it all the time combined with "you were exactly the same at that age"

Which is all true but what is wrong with just saying, "it is shite, isn't it. The early wakening/tantrums/not sleeping is exhausting, but this phase will pass and it will. Improve. Honest"

The phrases sometimes sound as if the person is belittling the horrible time one is having.

I hate it as it sounds to me like the good times will always end

it's up at our local hospital

well exactly, everything does pass (eventually). That doesn't mean it's not shit while it's happening.

It's just a phase implies that you're making a fuss about nothing. This too shall pass implies some sympathy with your current predicament so YABU

I always say it to myself when under duress (usually at the dentist,having a smear or anything unpleasant) so really like it -I find it comforting

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_too_shall_pass

Jeez..Is there anything left we actually can say without incurring the wrath of certain people.

Now't wrong with that phrase. It's helped me! And it's bloody true, it is.

I think it's an excellent phrase!

I think it's a bit inappropriate though to say to an exhausted, sleep deprived, milk-leaking-onto-her-tshirt, shell shocked new first time mum 'this too shall pass' in a (supposedly) wise, (supposedly) calm way. Would find it infuriating if someone said that to me. And anyway do people actually say that in real life? Isn't an offer of a cup of tea & a good chat far more preferable?

Reminds me for some reason of a ridiculous journalist on Greek TV who asked a woman, after an earthquake, who had just seen her home collapse completely: 'how do you think you will feel in 20 years time, when this event will be a nice sweet memory'? .

A very good friend of mine says it in RL in a very calming way. She is in her 60s and very wise and it always calms me down.

It will not be long before Pedlars print it on to a tea towel/mug/everything else and flog it for £50.

It will be the new 'Keep Calm and Carry On".

Well I'm not sure about you, maria2007, but I don't think I'd pitch up to a friend's house when she was tired and shell-shocked as a new mother to tell her "this too shall pass", then turn on my heels and go! I think a cup if tea and a chat might feature quite heavily too.

I had PND and it actually helped me enormously to think of this saying. Please keep saying it, not everyone will recoil in horror, after all, it will be well meant.