Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

to want to stab this mum with a needle

71 replies

meddie · 30/12/2012 00:20

I work in nursing, today we had a family visit with their small child. who quickly became bored and started to act up a bit (like kids that age do). Mum turns to him and says "If you don't behave, that nurse will come stick a big needle in you"

I was Shock

AIBU to want instead to stick the biggest needle I can find in the mum for failing parenting 101?

OP posts:
BuntyPenfold · 30/12/2012 00:25

oh dear meddie Sad

Birdsgottafly · 30/12/2012 00:26

Unfortunately many people are not taught how to parent, that is what you have witnessed, a lack of parenting skills.

I wish that the parenting classes that are offered at many Children's Centre's were not thought of as an admittance of faliure and just as something that would enhance family life.

BadDayAtTheOrifice · 30/12/2012 00:27

I saw the exact same thing being discussed on the telly the other night.....

jellybaby25 · 30/12/2012 00:28

Not ideal, but perhaps she was stressed due to hospital/ clinic visit?

threesocksfullofchocs · 30/12/2012 00:29

some people make mistakes

Northernlebkuchen · 30/12/2012 00:30

Bit judgemental OP. You don't 'fail' parenting - especially not as a result of one remark!

HollyBerryBush · 30/12/2012 00:31

It's devolved parenting when nothing else will work - like 'Santa wont bring you presents if you aren't good' or 'the policeman/shopkeeper/etc will tell you off if you don't do XYZ'.

SirBoobAlot · 30/12/2012 00:32

That's terrible :( Not only is ruling by fear a horrible way to parent, but surely that child will have vaccinations / see a nurse / have to go to hospital at some point down the line, and this will just terrify him!

MouseyHousey · 30/12/2012 00:35

My 2.5 yr old has recently got in the habit of shoving sweetcorn up her nose when she thinks no-one is looking, shes had one stuck but managed to blow it out. I really dont want to take her to a&e with corn up her nose so told her if it gets stuck the doctor will have to get it out with a needle - this seems to be working so far. AIBU for saying this?
Im quite Sad to think I failed parenting 101.
Sorry for hijack!

Original poster
meddie · 30/12/2012 00:36

That was my thoughts exactly Sirboobalot. just made me a feel a little bit stabby, that
a) she could cause needle phobia in her child
b) I was cast as the big evil nurse :(

OP posts:
Findingmyself · 30/12/2012 00:39

I can see your point but I think YABU as you've said she's failed parenting. That's a pretty big judgement to make and it's quite sad that you've taken it upon yourself to decide that.

TraineeBabyCatcher · 30/12/2012 00:39

I would feel fairly similar as I do hate when people use figures of authority as threats just to scare.

I'll ring daddy, that police man will lock you up, etc .

However we do all say things without thinking sometimes, I'm guilty of it that's for sure.

Hesterton · 30/12/2012 00:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ShellyBoobs · 30/12/2012 00:39

just made me a feel a little bit stabby

That's fucking appalling.

For a supposed medical 'professional' who has surely the aftermath of stabbings in the course of your work.

You should be ashamed.

Fairyegg · 30/12/2012 00:40

We all say things we regret particularly when stressed. It's not great I grant you, but could be worse.

Hesterton · 30/12/2012 00:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trapclap · 30/12/2012 00:41

I don't understand why it OS so mad to get shop-keeper etc involved; surely shop-keeper will ne telling off said child, if child doesn't comply with parents discipline... Confused

OP sounds like something my mum would say, half joking...meh. I don't see it ad any great parenting disaster

Original poster
meddie · 30/12/2012 00:47

Shelly it was tongue in cheek remark do you honestly think I would justify stabbing people really??

OP posts:
HildaOgden · 30/12/2012 00:51

You have my sympathy,I really hate when adults use other adults as a threat.I had a summer job in a toy shop when I first left school,I remember a mum saying to her boisterous lively child 'if you don't stop messing around,that lady will take you to the back of the shop and lock you in the dark room back there'.I remember being actually,truly horrifed at being dragged into such a threat.I somehow found my voice (and I'm still suprised I did this),looked right at the child and said 'No I won't do that pet,only a cruel person would do that to you' and then looked at the mother and said 'if you want to terrorise a small child,that's your decision,do NOT think I am the same as you'.

I shook for about an hour afterwards,it's more than twenty years ago but I still remember it vividly.

quoteunquote · 30/12/2012 00:53

Don't worry about it, humour malfunction I'm sure.

Meglet · 30/12/2012 00:56

Yanbu. I can't stand it when parents say stuff like that ("ooo, that police man will arrest you"...etc). Hospitals aren't the most fun places to visit so threatening a child with that is just stupid and thoughtless.

ToomuchheuchatendofHogmanay · 30/12/2012 00:58

I agree that causing unnecessary fear of needles in a young child is a daft idea, particularly as the parents will have to deal with the consequences of that fear for many years to come .... Talk about short-sightedness, shooting yourself in the foot, rod for own back etc etc.

I will, however, always be grateful to the traffic warden who marched up to a tantrumming 2 year old Ds who was doing that "rigid as a board" thing when I tried to get him into the trolley seat outside Tesco, and told him to sit down properly for his mummy or else! In a very stern tone. He complied immediately with huge round eyes, and I could have kissed her! She just winked at me and headed inside. I always wondered if she did that to some recalcitrant toddler every day on her way for her lunchtime sandwich Xmas Grin

Oh and Shelley chill. As she IS a HCP, i really don't think anybody is in danger from being literally stabbed by OP Xmas Hmm it's an oft-used turn of phrase on AIBU. OP just in case I'm wrong, which hospital should I put on my "avoid" list? Xmas Wink

trapclap · 30/12/2012 01:02

It's a bit melodramatic to think it will give s child a needle phobia.is it not? Confused

Willdoitinaminute · 30/12/2012 01:21

I was once telling my DS off in M&S, just as I threatened him with the proverbial policeman one obligingly walked past, and with a wry smile agreed with me. I'm not sure who was more astonished DS or me.

Willdoitinaminute · 30/12/2012 01:31

No it's always unacceptable to use HCP as bogeymen we already get enough bad press!