to really hate parents describing their kids as "very bright"

[lunaticow]

It really gets on my nerves. I mean, how bright is "very bright" is it in the top half of the class, or the top kid in the class? Just how many kids are so "very bright". My kids are clever enough but I'd never go around posting that they are "very bright".
These parents seem to think it is relevant to everything that their kids are "very bright"?
How smug. Stop boasting and shut up!

I think people base too much on markers such as reading level. My son has a friend that is really struggling with moving up the reading levels and we had him over to tea yesterday and the conversations you can have with him are impressive. His logic and reasoning and way of thinking are very mature.

The mum is aware he is struggling with reading but is also very aware that he is an incredibly articulate bright child. I think however that others would make judgment about his brightness based solely on what book band he was on, which would be a huge mistake.

This boy isn't close to being "top of the class" but with all the children I have had round for tea, he is probably one of the brightest ones.

One Mum had other children round for tea and played schools with them. She tested them on their writing and spelling to gauge how bright her DS was in comparison. It's all coming back to me now.

Ah well, there will always be silly mares I guess. Stay clear of anyone who tells you their childs reading book band or the carat of their engagement ring

Headteacher told me recently DS was 'very bright' sumg

... but then went on to say it was difficult to get him to do things he wasn't interested in

That has to be pathological. That's not what people do.

As in the spelling test thing.

Especially as I, as the mother, would probably fail too

Some crazy folk out there.

No wonder I don't like discussing 'brightness' worried. there was a fair bit of rummaging through book bags too.

pushy I think though that the environment can scew things a little.
DS is not top of his year and there are a couple of pupils who are uber bright, but I am trying to get out of the habit of thinking that in order to be bright you have to be that bright iyswim.

When marked by any usual measure DS is very bright indeed.

It's the same in sport. Both my DC compete at a very high level. But they are not the superstars iyswim. But I have to remind myself that where they are is still uncommonly high.

DS1 is very bright, DS2 seemed very dim by comparison.
Found out a few months ago there are 2 children in the school on the G&T list. Found out a few days ago one of them is DS2 obviously not dim after all.

tell em all it's counter productive!:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/gifted_and_talented/1401196-Do-gifted-kids-grow-up-to-be-gifted-adults

Take heart Sparklingbrook. Their second or third child will be the more high octane break it now-think-later type. Their book bag will be ripped and have sweet wrappers in. T'is karma.

I have bitter experience of this. My 3rd is like scooby doo on a really pure scooby snack.

I am guessing that the OP objects to the fact that some parents boast that their DC are bright as opposed to them actually being bright? Boasting about anything is very distasteful

People love to boast, let them, it's not hurting anybody else...

As DS2 says 'nobody likes a boasty-pants'

I always thought calling a child bright was like saying they were cheerful and happy.

The trouble is I am not sure what phrase would suit.

My eldest son is very bright. There are I think three times I have said that in real life outside of parents evening but I say it on green occasionally when it is relevant to a point I am making.

I usually say ds1 is very bright, ds2 has sn and learning difficulties and DD is really average.

Tell me, what shall I say instead?

Or is your point actually about bragging?

How about. 'He is doing very well in Year 8' or similar?

What does wind me up is people who will insist on telling me how bright my DC are - especially in front of said DC. I never know what to reply, since I neither neither know nor care where their DC are in comparison and academic success is far from being the only important thing. It just seems like a pointless remark, and whether they are bright or not, my DC certainly don't need to be told that they are - that is asking for trouble .

Mindyou, I find equally annoying/confusing one mother of a boy in DD's class who will not stop going on about how pretty my DD is. I think she's beautiful, of course, but I am sure all parents do, and what purpose does it serve to keep telling me - maybe I am supposed to be returning the compliment and saying how gorgeous her DS is (in which case I am doing it all wrong as I just smile vaguely and change the subject).

I don't say it on green. I say it on here.
Btw I always assume we have him, with his good looks and talents, as the result of a huge mix up at hospital.
Somewhere a brilliant gorgeous couple are looking at their short arse dim kid wondering WTF happened

YABU - they are just proud parents. Nothing wrong with that

But why? Why do I have to use a euphemism on here, in a comment made which is relevant to a conversation?
Should I describe ds2 as 'slightly challenged by year 8'

If it is a straightforward assessment why do I need to be coy about the really clever one?

I wonder if it is because people think that their childrens talents reflect upon them rather than their child and the discussion about our dc is competitive?

My dcs intelligence -high or low- is a quirk of fate.

Oh sorry Pagwatch, it was a general answer, to stop the quizzing. Like when someone asks you how you are. 'Fine' is the correct reply. depends who you are talking to and why they want to know.

No, sorry from me. I was on a little rantet there.

I shrug and look baffled when asked about my dc. It covers most situations

Somewhere a brilliant gorgeous couple are looking at their short arse dim kid wondering WTF happened