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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to find Tom dalys dad a little bit grating

45 replies

ChileanMinerWife · 18/10/2010 18:41

it seems to be all about him. that hugging thing a few years ago, etcetc
let the boy dive and take a step back fgs

why does the mum not get all this adulation? surely its a team effort

OP posts:
pagwatch · 18/10/2010 18:42

umm perhaps the fact that he is very seriously ill and probably won't live to see Tom compete in 2012 allows him to be a bit selfish

violethill · 18/10/2010 18:43

YANBU - he comes across very much as living his life through his son. All very well to be supportive etc but he's OTT - it's all about him which is bloody unfair on ALL his children.

Original poster
ChileanMinerWife · 18/10/2010 18:44

he was annoying before he was ill

OP posts:
violethill · 18/10/2010 18:46

Hmm... do we actually know that he is more likely to die than not within two years? Hmm

Also agree with CMW - he was annoying before his illness

Original poster
ChileanMinerWife · 18/10/2010 18:47

where is the mum?

OP posts:
DoraBelvedon · 18/10/2010 18:49

strikes me as being a typical slightly over-involved parent of a child prodigy. i'm sure after drivin him to every training session and having to be there for every competition for years and years it would be hard to suddenly stop oce the son hits 16.

DoraBelvedon · 18/10/2010 18:50

and his son's success probably takes his mind of his hideous life limiting illness.

phipps · 18/10/2010 18:51

YABU.

Tom seems very close to his dad and very happy to have him play such a big part in his life. Maybe mum has other children or a job to do or just doesn't fancy being in the public eye.

ChunkyBrewster · 18/10/2010 18:53

I read an article in which he comes across as an incredibly loving, supportive Dad whose instilled a lot of excellent values in his son. I think it's nice to see a positive male role model. I think they seem like a very close family - Dad just a bit louder than the Mum but doesn't make him a bad person.

pagwatch · 18/10/2010 18:54

I was going by an item I heard on the radio (radio 5)- I am not citing medical expert evidence so not really Hmm worthy I would have thought.

I understood them to be saying that the tumor had affected his inhibition and his impulse control for several years and that its effcts meant that not only could he not travel to the Commonwealth games but he may not be around for the 2012 games.

But i may be wrong. So shoot me

ChileanMinersMistress · 18/10/2010 18:55

On the fence on this one, I watched the documentary last week and while I know that his Dad is ill he comes across as being slightly odd. Dificult to put mt finger on it but he's very childlike, he seems to need Tom's approval and it was difficult to watch in some parts as the roles were almost reversed with Tom being the parent and the Dad the insecure child.

But Tom obviously adores him so he can't be all bad.

Original poster
ChileanMinerWife · 18/10/2010 18:56

i think now tom is in creasingly a man
oh yes i have noticed... Wink the dad needs to BUTT OUT nad stop making it all about him

OP posts:
ChileanMinersMistress · 18/10/2010 18:57

The Mum was on the programme as well - she seemed very down to earth and just happy to be in the background. I did feel sorry for the younger two boys. Not because of how they were treated within the family but by outsiders.

Overall the whole family seemed very well adjusted and happy.

narkypuffin · 18/10/2010 18:57

The current treatment is for the regrowth of a brain tumor. He had surgery for it years ago and hasn't been able to work since. It's started to grow again. The hugging at the press conference happened after that.

Ignorant judgemental cocks the lot of you.

CrazyPlateLady · 18/10/2010 18:59

YABU.

He is very proud of his son and he is supporting him. Tom is obviously very close to him and I expect he is worried that he isn't going to be around to see how well Tom does in the future.

Im sorry, but what a horrible thread.

violethill · 18/10/2010 18:59

Agree with CMM too - don't think it's an easy life for the siblings

CrazyPlateLady · 18/10/2010 19:00

Yes, how dare a dad hug his son when he is so proud of him. Hmm What it the world coming to?

At least he isn't some druggie low life who doesn't give a toss about him kids. How dare he care and support his son.

pithyslicker · 18/10/2010 19:02

Well said Narkypuffin

DoraBelvedon · 18/10/2010 19:08

on the documentary it looked like the whole family made as much of a certificate for tie tying as a gold medal. i thought they were a lovely supportive family to all the children.

champagnesupernova · 18/10/2010 19:10

I didn't know that he was
But sports people have always had Scary Pushy Parents no?
Like poor Lewis Hamilton.
Also Williams sisters
Andy Murray

Imagine doing your job with your dad sat three desks back all the time.Hmm

champagnesupernova · 18/10/2010 19:11

I didnt know he was ill

greeneyeball · 18/10/2010 19:15

Yabu and deeply unpleasant - is there something personal in this? Leave the guy alone fgs.

forehead · 18/10/2010 19:22

YABVVU. The only 'crime' he has committed is loving his son. Many successful athletes have parents who are very invulved in their lives and that is why they do so well in their respective fields.
OP save your vindictive comments for people who deserve them not a man who is seriously ill and may not even live to see his son grow up.

CrazyPlateLady · 18/10/2010 19:25

"OP save your vindictive comments for people who deserve them not a man who is seriously ill and may not even live to see his son grow up."

I agree. Others who have agreed with the OP need to think about it a bit more too.

weblette · 18/10/2010 19:27

YABVVVU