Crazy colleague's child taking over the office an inch at a time

[Welshtinsel]

Since my work colleague returned from maternity leave she has tried to turn the office in to some kind of shrine to her child.

If she is not talking about her DD then she is showing someone a picture of her DD. Every conversation devolves into one involving her spawn. Rather than working she'll sit around discussing how 'cute' her DD is. Just last week she used up all of the color ink in the print printing a picture of her DD. Any current event always strikes a cord with whatever crap her DD did last night.

AIBU to say that no one gives a shit about her kid and she should just shut up and do her job?

[iamapushymum]

would do my napper in!

[SolomanDaisy]

I used to manage someone who did this. She had three, there was never an occasion when she didn't have a very dull story to relate about them. Other people talk about their children in moderation, when they have done something amusing or have been awake all night. She was just at it all the bloody time. People actually used to raise it with me in 1:1s and ask me to make it stop. I discussed it with her (subtly pointing out the several people with fertility/miscarriage issues sitting near her) and it would stop for a little while and then be back to normal. She had a very loud, irritating voice as well, so there was no escape. The manager of another team in the open plan office had to speak to me about it once. God, I am glad I never have to see her again.

[Atthewelles]

I work with a woman like this. If she's not talking about her children she's on the phone reminding them in a loud voice to do their homework, be good for granny etc etc. It has got to the stage where people try to time their coffee breaks so that they won't be in the kitchen at the same time as her because, no matter what the topic under discussion, she will bring it back to her kids.

[Lottapianos]

'Lotta - have you tried to get the message across to your colleague? Or is it easier just to put up with it?'

Dromedary, I have tried several approaches I have tried to make a few polite comments about her son, then move the conversation on to something else - she brings it back to him. I have tried initiating a converstaion about a topic that has nothing to do with family - the US elections, winter coats, favourite foods/drinks etc - she ends up talking about her kid or her parents every single time. It's mind-numbing and sometimes quite upsetting, as I have massive family issue of my own and could do without someone else's Disney-like set up being shoved down my throat.

There was a thread a while back about how to handle colleagues that just won't shut up - someone suggested you should hold a hand up and say 'can I just stop you there?', then when they pause to let you speak, just get on with your work and ignore them from then on Definitely not brave enough to try it though!

[HECTheHallsWithRowsAndFolly]

i suppose if all else fails, you could let out a scream, throw your head onto your desk and yell oh GOD if I have to sit through another minute of this I am going to throw myself onto my letter opener

[lovelyladuree]

If she is chatting and printing photos she is not working. Highlight this fact to her boss. She is not giving the company value for money and there are plenty of people out there willing to take her place so she can be a SAHM.

[Mumsyblouse]

I think it depends how extreme it is. I have a colleague who loves her dogs, and from time to time, she calls me in to look at pictures of 'the girls', or tell me if one of them is sick, or to relay something funny they did. I tell her about my children from time to time, but hopefully not every time I see her, or to the detriment of my work (indeed, I know not as I work very hard).

So, a little conversation can be a nice thing in a boring office, but once someone starts to dominate it is hard.

[ReindeerHooves]

DH used to work with someone like this, only the ds was in his 20's. She'd be on the phone to him several times a day, micromanaging his life for him. Unsurprisingly he had no idea how to function as an adult and was constantly in trouble with the police.

There are a few of us in my office with children and we do discuss them as they're part of our lives, but no-one's a bore shit does that mean the bore's me?

[AngelOne]

There's someone like this at my work.

Her first child was born 4 years ago and she still hasn't got over it

Most other people in the office have young children too, but they manage to talk about many different topics. She ALWAYS brings it back to her children, she talks at length about breastfeeding, nappies, potty training long after everyone has stopped listening. She is also the perfect mother and knows best about every child related subject.

It's got to the point were newly pregnant first timers in the office are scared of announcing their pregnancy because they know she'll pounce on them every few minutes with 'advice' and anecdotes about her own pregnancy and birth.

[NorksAreTinselly]

diet bores