AIBU to think perhaps people should be looking after their children instead of arguing with strangers on the internet?

[youareallgoingtoshoutatme]

Firstly, I fully expect you all to flame me - feel free.
Secondly, I am aware of the obvious contradiction in suggesting that people should have better things to do than be on MN, when I am clearly on MN in order to type this, so please try to resist the urge to endlessly point this out.

I am name changing for this, but this is the second time I have been on MN since my daughter was born 5 months ago.

I used to come on MN quite a lot. It was helpful when I was pregnant and constantly obsessing about childbirth and pregnancy in general. I also think it is probably a really useful source of support for things like feeding, sleeping, special needs etc.

However, now that my baby is here, I find that I have more than enough to do looking after her and trying to keep up with everything else in my life.

I am amazed at the number of people who seem to have a number of children, and yet have time to argue prolifically with total strangers over the internet about their useless husbands/annoying children/vile mother in law/tedious customer service complaints at the supermarket, etc etc etc.

Seriously? Have you nothing better to do?If you have children, I find it hard to believe that you don't!!

Just wasted 5mins reading all the posts. Must say its a complete pointless thread although quite enjoyable to read. I feel much better about myself and my parenting skills now.

I have taught my children how to use books, games, art materials, the television, the computer, and a range of consoles in order to free up time for me to surf, and indeed do other things.

In addition, the older ones can prepare snacks and light lunches, make cups of tea for me, wipe themselves, change the nappy of the youngest in extremis (as long as it's not a poo), employ basic child safety protocols, take accurate telephone messages, assist with supermarket and milk deliveries and do some general household tasks such as cleaning bathrooms and dusting/hoovering when required. The youngest one has been trained to check before doing most experimental things, and to remain within earshot of the rest of the family in case he forgets. The oldest one has been trained to live independently, earn her own living and forage for her own meals, in a different town, no less.

What do they need me for, apart from companionship and overall light supervision?

PMSL
But very true, that is all that is required.

Well, i have two, a 3 year old and a 20 month old, i just stick them in the rabbit run in the garden for some peace and quite, and it keeps them safe!

Honestly...not here, but it was another forum I am on that saved my sanity, and helped me continue breastfeeding my dd. She was born with a tongue tie, that the gp, hv, mw all refused to do anything about, I was about ready to throw myself under a bus tbh, but some lovely ladies, I had never met in real life, spent a few days, getting in touch with people they knew, and within a week, it was all organised and she had her tongue tie snipped!

You miss out a huge point in your op....the majority of people are on here for support, and to offer it, or just for some light-hearted chat, they they cannot get in real life.

I have one thing to say. Disney Channel.

When you have a DD that is obsessed with Hannah Montanna and chums, you need to have something else to entertain you.

I must be (like others) a supermum. I can do all the housework, work full time, have a teeny social life, show interest in DD, interact with DD AND come on here too (I also multi-task by watching TV and drinking wine/eating popcorn).

Look - on my chest, a big Lycra 'S'. Supermum

Do you not bf your 5mo old? Surely if MN is for anyone it is for the 20000th hour with a child clamped to your chest and only shite on telly.

For your info, DD is at her grandparentsas I'm supposed to be packing. Although I am actually horribly sick and using MN as a distraction from the feeling that I am about to vomit everywhere.

Hope this is a good enough 'excuse'

Well, I can see the POV of the OP, apart from the rather judgemental "haven't you anything better to do?" comment.

Isn't it common for people to find they have 0 time in the day once they have a child, especially their first?

I certainly felt that way. I felt I couldn't do anything unless the baby was asleep and if no one here can nod their head to that then MN posters are not a true representative of society (which of course it isn't anyway, but you KWIM).

I actually have more internet down time with two children as I suppose I've learnt how to manage things better.

Yep, at 5 months on with my first son once the months of interrupted sleep were starting to take their toll I often had that oft mentioned phrase "how does she do it all?" in my head.

With my first son it took weeks for me to get online with my March99 internet group (granted, we were still on dial up then!), but with my second it was just life as normal within hours.

I think some of you are being a bit harsh to the OP. Don't you remember those first few months with your first born?

my son is at school in the day. i go online after taking my daugther to a baby group, she is tired after her group and has a nice long bf and then falls asleep for a couple of hours. i come online and chat.

anyway babies arent hard work, children are. toddlers/preschoolers are hard work. babies sleep all the time.

Lordy... i had no choice but to MN when mine were tiny... it was that or watch crappy daytime tv all day every day as I spent the first 6 months with each of them permanently breastfeeding.

Must be nice to be able to do stuff without a tiny human attached to your breast in those early days

As for now... My 6, 4 and 2 year olds have just finished tidying up the living room for me (it should be pointed out that they also made the mess for me) and are chatting and watching tv whilst they munch on sausages, they're within a few feet of me and can talk to me or ask me anything they want and the 2yo is up on my lap every few minutes for a cuddle. I've just finished doing my on-line OU activities and am about to wander in and finish mopping the floors now that the kitchen is dry and I can reach the sink again.

Terrible housewife that I am

Of course I do bonkers, and no tbh, I didn't spend much time on MN with tiny PFB, but I didn't come online and berate them for spending time online when I wasn't either!

I was also bored silly and am looking forward to having laptop/touch with no2 so I can chatand bf

LeQueen - if girls are anything like boys, when they are old enough to be tackling real boys (well, girls in the dses cases) and real homework, they will refuse to let you help. They will know for a fact that you are incapable of understanding their schoolwork or of offering any useful advice on the completion of same, and as every teenager knows, no parent understands sex or love or relationships - and anyway you didn't even have any of these things when you were young (back in the Dark Ages, naturally).

By then they will be able to cook themselves a meal (though for the dses, clearing up after it remains something they have to be reminded to do each and every time - and it is greeted as utterly novel news each time too), will make all their own social arrangements, spend ages on the phone or social networking, and you will only see them at meal times or if they need money. It's a doddle, I tell you!

However, I must confess that both dh and I were BAD, BAD parents this morning. I had a lie-in whilst he took the boys to collect the papers for their paper rounds, and then he sloped off back to bed too, and we spent the rest of the morning there, relaxing, reading, snoozing, drinking coffee and cuddling the dog - and utterly ignoring the children whilst we did so. In fact we were there for so long that we decided it would be easier to take turns ignoring them, so the other one could have a nap to get over the exertion!!

this is one of those threads where i don't have time (nor the inclination frankly) to read anyone elses point of view but need to reply to the OP

it's none of your fucking business what i do, you're not the boss of me

and now i'm off to get on with the rest of my day

and see what you've made me do now OP, fight with a stranger on the internet [shakes fist at electric interweb and rescues DC from the big bad world]

Oh summerrain I feel better now.

I have 1 DS (6yo) who has been remodelling British Rail in his room this morning - with Thomas and Friends!! I don't do it right (apparently!!) so am banished from his room. Therefore have spent 2 hours reading/ making notes for OU degree, between making drinks, Oking a light snack and answering train related questions.

DS has just bought me the computer having finished watching Thomas Trains on you tube for inspiration, so I am having a quick MN whilst my casserole and steamed veg cooks.

I will sit at the table and eat with him, a table he will lay and clear down . I will wash up again I expect whilst he plays or watches TV.

The beds will be stripped, him his and me, mine and I will remake them. Again I expect DS will amuse himself unless he needs something.

To end the day I shall call SS and report myself for obvious neglect.

OP Is it people on the internet, namely MN that upset you as you have admitted you are working whilst claiming SMP, whilst your child is presumably at home with you (asleep maybe?)

AND OP I would like to add the allergies section of MN has made a HUGE difference to mine and my DS life recently, and I was there everyday for a bit - I hope for your sake and your DD your smug arse never has to go there.

And on a similar note... god forbid you should ever need to rely on the SN section for advice, support and &

Well said summerrain. Do some ignorant people not realise that being on MN a lot at times actually benefits our DC's, as we get the advice and support needed to deal with them.