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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect the radio not to discuss certain topics at 4.30pm?

36 replies

TheDetective · 19/01/2012 19:54

I was listening to local BBC radio on the way home this evening. 9 year old DS sat in the car with me.

On the radio was Sue Townsend - author of Adrian Mole. I can't remember exactly was the discussion was - but me, and DS, clearly heard her say "I found out Santa wasn't real, and the tooth fairy wasn't real".

DS just looked at me - we both knew there were no words. His father told him FC didn't exist last year, and I spent this year working hard to encourage him to believe - children grow up so quickly. But that is it. Now he has heard another adult say the words - its over.

AIBU to say fuck you BBC Radio Lancashire, and fuck you Sue Townsend! And to be unreasonably angry that this was broadcast at 4.30pm when children could be listening, or present.

Gutted :(

OP posts:
Feminine · 19/01/2012 19:55

Seriously? Confused

teatimesthree · 19/01/2012 19:58

Surely if his dad had told him - age 8 - the jig was up?

Greythorne · 19/01/2012 19:59

Er, he is going to have to hear the truth at some point.

What age were yoy hoping he would reach? 16?

GrahamTribe · 19/01/2012 20:00

Goodness.

I was expecting to read that the topic being discussed was a particularly gruesome murder. Is this for real?

GingerSnapsBack · 19/01/2012 20:02

Yanbu I think your ds is old enough to know but you are quite right that there could be younger children listening

JustAnother · 19/01/2012 20:02

Seriously? he would must have been the laughing stock at school if he ever admited age 9 that he believed in FC. You can't keep him in baby-state for your own benefit. Let the poor boy grow up!!

Original poster
TheDetective · 19/01/2012 20:03

I know all children will have to find out - but I didn't expect it to be this way!

His Dad is a knob, but that is another story. I managed to get him to believe me.

He doesn't now.

OP posts:
suburbophobe · 19/01/2012 20:04

You can't expect the whole world to tune into your reality.

Just turn off the radio and put on some music

if you want to keep up the deception

FabbyChic · 19/01/2012 20:04

He is 9 not 6, let him grow up.

Original poster
TheDetective · 19/01/2012 20:05

When I was in school (not that long ago, believe me!) it was cooler to believe than not to! He said its about half and half in his class.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheDetective · 19/01/2012 20:06

I wasn't the only person listening Fabby, I am quite sure other younger children will have heard the same comments. I'm not just mentioning this because my DS heard it, but because younger children probably have too.

OP posts:
frasersmummy · 19/01/2012 20:08

4.30 is time when a lot of kids are in the car/on a bus in a shop with a radio on..

they should be more careful ...

and no he is not too old at 9... might be on the verge of disbelief but really lets not ruin the magic before we have to

Feminine · 19/01/2012 20:09

You should try living in the US. Wink

Breakfast news interrupted, by people having their heads blown off.

No watershed here.

Poor old Sue Townsend.

thebestisyettocome · 19/01/2012 20:11

I don't blame you for being angry to be honest. Didn't most people on here go apeshit over that Littlewoods advert.

bumblebeader · 19/01/2012 20:15

Funny you mention this because I heard the same interview on the radio this morning just after I dropped DD off at school and was a bit Hmm. Her school starts a bit earlier than most so fortunately she missed it. She would have been crushed.

On another note, 9 is not too old to still believe.

Jacaqueen · 19/01/2012 20:16

They also played the interview on Radio Scotland. Luckily my 6 year old was busy in the dining room doing his homework and not with me in the kitchen.

I would have been livid.

Feminine · 19/01/2012 20:16

I am not debating if 9 is too old to believe, that is very much your personal choice.

Was it a live show?

Jacaqueen · 19/01/2012 20:18

Pre recorded interview segment played during a live drivetime radio show.

thebestisyettocome · 19/01/2012 20:23

The 'is 9 too old' argument is another point entirely and absolutely down to the discretion of the parent.

BettyBedlam · 19/01/2012 20:31

Why the sarcasm Feminine? I would say many 9 year olds still believe, though most are told later that year or when they are 10 ready for secondary school.

BendyBob · 19/01/2012 20:34

SadYanbu. And younger children could have heard too, so even if you think 9 is fair game (I don't btw) what about the younger ones?

I turned R4 off today in the car at 4ish today. Dc were in the car with me and the Film Programme were discussing the details of an especially gory adult film. NiceHmm

HappyAsEyeAm · 19/01/2012 20:35

I would have been gutted too.

musicposy · 19/01/2012 20:41

YANBU. Radio 4 were talking about rape the other day. I can't remember in what context, unfortunately. It was late morning and I guess they had a pretty good guess the children would all be in school. My children weren't with me and even if they had been, they're well old enough to take such things on board.

But....you could have younger children at home ill, be taking them somewhere in the car, anything. I think they need to be more careful what they say pre-watershed.

As for the FC thing, if he still believes and you want to keep that up, you're entitled to that choice, (FWIW I don't think 9 is too old) I'd be feeling cross too.

carabos · 19/01/2012 20:44

First world problem.

Feminine · 19/01/2012 20:44

betty sarcasm?

How on earth did you get that from my post?

Actually my opinion is that being upset over a radio show is a waste of energy.

I wanted to know if the BBC could have done anything about it...there are many things I'd like removed from shows too.

Its a shame he overheard it... a shame thats all.

Sue Townsend is a fantastic writer , I don't think "fuck you Sue" is all that cool.