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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be pissed off at competitive reading at library today?

37 replies

MummyAnnabella · 10/03/2012 22:51

at library with little one this morning reading as we do before rhyme time. Another mum sits close to me and starts reading poncy pretentious books o her little one very loudly and I felt she was trying to show me up for reading bob builder books to mine. They may not be the best books in the world but he loves them and I felt really judged:((

OP posts:
NoOnesGoingToEatYourEyes · 10/03/2012 22:52

Were they bilingual books?

workshy · 10/03/2012 22:54

is your little one called zabadiah?

Heyyyho · 10/03/2012 22:55

Don't let her bother you, silly woman. Sounds like she was insecure herself.

marriedinwhite · 10/03/2012 22:58

I'm afraid I read mine the Iliad and the Odyssey when they were still at the breast. Still hoping DS gets to read Classics at Balliol so I can send the confirmation letter to the hv who told me it was her job to make sure I talked to my baby enough so he developed speech!!

faeriefruitcake · 10/03/2012 22:58

other parents and their performing monkeys YAWN

Original poster
MummyAnnabella · 10/03/2012 23:05

Yes think they were language books though I dont speak languages so not sure which one.

Ds not zebediah has perfectly normal name. Not sure why you think he's called that but honestly his name is usually on top 10 baby names much o my annoyance.

Married - dint really understand your post. Is it a joke? About her pretentiousness?

I just felt that a really normal rhyme time is getting a but judgey and competitive. I love going as ds loves go read and we can't afford many books at home so really don't want this to put me off.

OP posts:
marriedinwhite · 10/03/2012 23:14

Just keep going to the library. Story time, reading robin time, as much as you can. Get your books out and read them to him, teach him how to handle them, tell him about the pictures and give him every chance you can to enjoy them.

Sorry, I was being a bit facetious. Don't let what others do bother you and be bothered about what they think of you. Ultimately all your little one needs is love and encouragement and you sound as though you are giving that in spades.

Original poster
MummyAnnabella · 10/03/2012 23:18

Married - thanks for that was really upset earlier as I never had books growing up and though money is tight (dh lost job last year) I try to save to get a new book as often as poss and to take ds to library every week as I really want him to have chances in life I never had. I dream he'll go on to university one day:)

Work shy will look at your link now.

OP posts:
workshy · 10/03/2012 23:21

and there's absolutely nothing wrong with Bob the builder, Fireman Sam etc etc

whatever gets your LO interested in books is a fantatsic book!

:)

NoOnesGoingToEatYourEyes · 10/03/2012 23:29

Sorry for earlier comment OP, was the joke of someone who spends too much time on MN. I would love to read Bob the Builder OP. My DS likes Thomas the Tank Engine and I am utterly sick of those books. I'd give anything for a nice book about tractors or sharks or builders. Anything but more trains!

Original poster
MummyAnnabella · 10/03/2012 23:47

Omg! Have looked at that link and could have been us on,y I swear he's not zebediah and I was not putting on a show. We have 7 books at home and it's a treat to read new books at library as we know the 7 pretty well by now! Maybe I was too enthusiastic but I want him to love books as I said I dream of him getting to uni and becoming a lawyer or a doctor one day:)

Actually got a little angry too reading that thread as I revognised another thunder they made fun of. I talk to him in tesco too (he's nearly 2) and I'll ask him to get me stuff like a re pepper. Again in my defence I grew up on tins and frozen food and I want him to know an enjoy food and shopping and cooking proper food. Does that make me a show off and bad parent?!

OP posts:
workshy · 10/03/2012 23:53

I used to talk to mine in Asda and ask them to find me a c-c-c-cumber or some o-o-o-oranges

I don't care if people think I was a performance parent -primary school loved me Grin

I would much rather see a parent talking to their child than ignoring them and walking round on their mobile

keep talking to your DC, he will thank you for it x

NoDontLickThat · 11/03/2012 00:00

I'm on a tight budget too OP, but love to read and want my son to like books too so if I'm short on cash I go to different pound shops and some of the selections of books are surprisingly quite good, I've built DS's book collection up gradually but I got loads of books from those shops for a pound each, and car boot sales are great for kids books too on a tight budget Smile

Original poster
MummyAnnabella · 11/03/2012 00:07

Work shy thanks for that was starting to think I was one who was mad for talking to child in supermarket and not being on phone or rushing him round. Old ladies always stop and say it's nice to see little one enjoy shopping but I do feel others my age sometimes look at me like I'm a twat!

No one eat eyes - 3 of our 7 books are Thomas ones hence excitement at bob the builder! Love the sound of a shark book so will look for that next fri if I can summon courage to go back. Sounds a bit silly now but I was really upset on way home as feel the library getting very - oh god how do i say this - snobby? these days not like when my mum took me years ago!

OP posts:
CaoNiMa · 11/03/2012 04:32

OP, I think you might be happier on NetMums.

marriedinwhite · 11/03/2012 08:53

Just ignore or go to another library in your borough or county. I was always shocked that story time - which was free, apart from 20p for the drink and biscuit, was stacked full of middle class parents. It shouldn't have been. Just go, carry on doing what you are doing, and you will be welcomed. You might not feel as if you fit in but you will if you smile and talk to the other children first. Include one or two as you read to your son - you'll soon be invited over to the coffee table.

Mishy1234 · 11/03/2012 09:03

Stop worrying about what other people are doing and get on with enjoying reading to your own child. I doubt she was deliberately reading a particular book just to make you feel bad. If she was then she really isn't worth wasting your energy on.

ALL books are equally beneficial, especially at a young age. It's about capturing their enthusiasm by reading something they want to hear. You sound as if you're doing just that.

Mishy1234 · 11/03/2012 09:04

marriedinwhite - why shouldn't middle class parents take their children to story time?

ssd · 11/03/2012 09:10

honestly op, if you're going to be wound up about something as daft as that its going to be a long life

thisisyesterday · 11/03/2012 09:10

why the fuck shouldn't middle class people go to the library?

the library is for EVERYONE!

OP... carry on as you are, it sounds like you're doing a great job. Ignore other people.
Read your son books that you both enjoy and you can't go far wrong

ILoveMortenHarket · 11/03/2012 09:13

Middle class people shouldn't go to the library.

I have heard it all now. Hmm

exoticfruits · 11/03/2012 09:15

I'm glad that I had mine some time ago-everything seems so contentious these days! I thought that library sessions were open to all-whatever class. Just ignore the ones that irritate.

abrakebabra · 11/03/2012 09:21

Yes, libraries are only for the working classes didn't you know? It's absolutely paramount that working class and middle class children should NEVER MIX. They may give each other all kinds diseases.

OP - I have a gazillion children's books at home, you are very welcome to some of them if you wish.

Petrean · 11/03/2012 09:22

Middle class people shouldn't take their children to storytime in the library.

WTF! Angry

Who died and made you Queen of libraries? Angry

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