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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to smirk at this display of loud parenting at school today?

154 replies

ItsSnowDarling · 06/12/2011 23:49

Picture the scene - End of the day outside reception. Parent who is well known for parenting loudly and ensuring everyone knows how advanced her son is arrives.

Examples of loud parenting in the past include:

  • her son always carries his reading book in his hand so we can all see which one it is, instead of putting it in his bag like the rest of us.
  • talking loudly to the teacher daily about his achievements.
  • inviting children over for "reading" dates when they were in nursery!
  • singing Jolly Phonics in the playground.

Anyway tomorrow is the nativity, of course we all know that her son will be playing Joseph, so did she really need to throw her arms open as she arrived and exclaim loudly "I'm here, where's Joseph" - I managed to hold back the snort, but I really struggled with the smirk, which may have been a bit too obvious.

So was I reasonable or is the truth that I am just jealous that her DS is far superior to mine?

OP posts:
Pozzled · 07/12/2011 14:29

We practice loud parenting and loud childing in our house.

Me: COME BACK HERE! Don't touch that! Put that back!

DD1: (Loudly enough for the whole supermarket to hear): My little sister does yellow poos.

Everlong · 07/12/2011 14:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kerala · 07/12/2011 14:35

On the train once very exciting our first train trip "look darling how exciting sheep can you see the sheep? Look there are some cows and a river" DD aged 4 said calmly "can you be quiet please mummy" I was Xmas Blush

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 07/12/2011 15:07

Hexagonal - your patience must be legendary - I wouldn't have been able to resist having a go at that mum for such nastiness!

Original poster
ItsSnowDarling · 07/12/2011 15:52

My situation pales into insignificance compared to some of the stories on here.

So, the nativity play passed without incident, as predicted she was in the front row while I lurked at the back praying that DC3 would be quiet and we wouldn't be thrown out.

Joseph (and I am not being bitchy here) was a bit if a non-character brought in at the end to stand next to the crib; the speaking parts being given to the older children.

OP posts:
Hardgoing · 07/12/2011 16:48

Thanks to the OP, Plum and Hex for really giving me a chuckle this afternoon, I love this thread!

pigletmania · 07/12/2011 16:51

Reading dates, now I've heard it all Shock. My dd has SN, so its the opposite, book firmly in book bag, trying to manouver dd out of school as quickly as possible Smile

verytellytubby · 07/12/2011 16:52

Reading dates. That actually made me snort my tea Grin

DartsAgain · 07/12/2011 16:55

The parents boasting about the french lessons would be sniggered at here, as we've had an influx of Poles. Xmas Grin It's making the school quite interesting, and brought out some extra creativity in the teachers.

WilsonFrickett · 07/12/2011 16:58

Reading dates. I am just imagining DS6's face.

'What, you want me to go to someone's house and read books?' Brilliant.

angelinterceptor · 07/12/2011 16:59

I know of a 'book club' for age 7-8 girls at my DDs school. The mother who started it, told me all about it, and then thankfully didnt extend an invite to my DD.
She sourced a book at the library for them, and they all have to read it, and then meet up and have a talk about it!

ChippingInNeedsSleep · 07/12/2011 17:16

I actually think a book club for kids aged 7+ is great - if they want to go.

That aside... Loud Parenting is hilarious and makes the standing around in the playground worthwhile Grin... but you do have to feel sorry for the kids!

babybythesea · 07/12/2011 17:25

OK, I will now have to admit to loud parenting - going swimming today reminded me that there is one situation where I parent very loudly.
In the changing rooms, after swimming.
Because my dd hates getting out of the pool and is thoroughly grumpy about being dragged away from swimming. So I shout very loudly, to try and drown her comments: 'I don't like that boy. I don't like you Mummy. I not sitting down. You silly Mummy. That girl silly too.' etc etc. And as one reason we went swimming was to try and make friends, I try and shout things that might counter-balance their impression of her.

It's not so much competitive parenting as 'please be friendly to me - she's not normally this obnoxious, honest!'

stealthsquiggle · 07/12/2011 17:59

kungfu - DD's nursery attempted a nativity when she was 2.3. She was a shepherd I lovingly grabbed her jedi youngling robe and a teatowel crafted her a costume, and we arrived - at which point she ripped off teatowel and robe, hurled herself into my lap, and refused to co-operate at all whatsoever.

She is now all keen and is going to get to be a shepherdess (note not a shepherd, at her insistence Hmm) at school and then Mary at the village church - which was easily sold as she gets to hold the doll baby. Shepherdess has one line (or two if the shepherd bottles out of his) and Mary has none. I will be glad if she gets through both without crumbling.

TheOriginalFAB · 07/12/2011 18:15

You do not sound jealous AT ALL and those that think you do have, imo, self esteem issues.

Original poster
ItsSnowDarling · 07/12/2011 18:27

The book club for 7+ might not be such a terrible idea, but these children were 3-4!

The DCs are exhausted tonight and we are snuggled on the sofa watching the Muppet Christmas Carol - now that is what being in infants is about!

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 07/12/2011 18:39

DS nursery had a nativity once. He was a sheep but CBA and spent the entire hour breakdancing. One of his wee pals was a King and SCREAMED his line through the mic so loudly I swear they could hear him in Bethlehem. It was like a battle cry. Brilliant.

KateF · 07/12/2011 18:45

I have a friend (very nice really) but with a tendency to exaggerate her DCs talents. Following her tale of people weeping at her dds beautiful singing my dd2 (being assessed for Aspergers and devastatingly blunt) commented "I expect their ears were hurting" Blush but Grin

AnotherMincepie · 07/12/2011 18:47

Why does it matter what someone else does? Maybe she's doing these things because her son enjoys school and learning, and not to impress anyone else :)

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 07/12/2011 18:48

Well she could do them a bit more quietly, Mincepie Xmas Grin

exoticfruits · 07/12/2011 18:54

I don't think anyone minds if they do it quietly-unfortunately they never do!

AnotherMincepie · 07/12/2011 19:30

It's annoying if it really is deliberate. But maybe she's just oblivious and would be mortified if she realised anyone was talking about this behind her back.

exoticfruits · 07/12/2011 19:33

She probably is oblivious and will have to wait until her DS makes her stop-she hasn't got many years left before she becomes a total embarrassment to him!

troisgarcons · 07/12/2011 19:36

tut, tut and thrice tut.

DS1 was the angel Gabriel in the nativity play (some 10 years ago) - I offered newborn DS3 as Jesus - I thought it would be a nice touch Grin The teacher declined in favour of a rather tatty old dolly from the toy box ...... Gabriel picked dolly up by the ankle, whacked Mary with it and said 'ere y'are then!!!!

maybe teacher did know best Xmas Wink

snowmummy · 07/12/2011 19:37

I used to think that parents like the one the OP describes couldn't really exist. Now I know different.