Would I BU to buy 'The boy who cried wolf' for this child?

[polishthisturd]

She fibs. She is 4 and my friends little girl. Unfortunately they mollycoddle and spoil her to such a great degree that she cries over everything. And I mean everything. Things like - That girl walked near me. That boy spoke to me. She stood next to me. I don't want that very expensive toy you just bought me. He tried to share with me. And so on.... she can be very lovely at times but those days are getting rarer and rarer.

Anyway now she has taken to saying that things happened when they didn't so that she can get even more attention and sympathy. If "She stood next to me" isn't getting enough chocolate and offers of gifts then it changes to something else. She is always believed.

Her birthday is coming up. I so want to buy this book. Will it be obvious that I'm making a statement and AIBU?

The child won't appreciate the irony but her parents will be pissed off. If that's the result you want, then go ahead and buy the book.

Parents like that wont notice any similarities to the boy in the book. They will think the sun shines out of its bum and be oblivious!

I'd buy it

do it and get pinocchio as well for maximum affect.

I don't want to piss them off. But I do want them to notice shes lying. Especially when they always seek an apology for the non-thing the other child is being accused of. But they would probably remain oblivious! Even saying "That didn't happen the way she is saying it did" doesn't work. That results in "But she doesn't LIE!!!" and accusatory stares at the poor child that happened to be standing next to her.

And a copy of 'Matilda' poem by Hillaire Belloc

'Matilda told such Dreadful Lies
It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes...'

But yes...it will piss off her parents, probably.

Perhaps you could add a singing birthday card that shouts 'Liar, liar, pants on fire?'

What's your budget?

Could you get a personalised copy with her name instead of the little boy? And perhaps your town?

Maybe include the things she's lied about in the book?

"The little girl from Glasgow called Jenny who cried wolf."

Would save any confusion and prevent you from being accused of being passive-aggressive.

When the direct line fails, passive aggressive is all I have!

DP also suggested that today MrsRajesh. But then he also suggested calling her an ambulance when she fell over today and her Dad flew in to a panic for us to get antiseptic and bandage's. She wasn't even cut

Can't you just refuse to engage in their idiocy? Or stop seeing these people?

I think it's a daft idea sorry, she won't get the connection, her parents will probably still be oblivious and if she doesn't like it and acts spoilt and cries over it as you say she usually does then you'll be annoyed and out of pocket too.

If you want them to notice that she is "lying", perhaps you should tell them, rather than make the point in a present to the child which is critical of her and for which you will expect gratitude from the child.

Not a very nice way to celebrate her birthday, unless you would take it well if someone who didn't like you much gave you a copy of "the Witches" for your birthday with a smirk and a knowing look and then expected you to suck it up, thank them sincerely and then work on your perceived failings.

Could you back off a bit from the friendship? I wouldn't want my child to be friends with her.

Why does she get comforted for saying "That girl walked near me"?

You sound like a lovely friend.

Is she at school yet? She is a little young to understand and appreciate that story, it may be a good message later on. But she may grow out of this behaviour because school staff won't respond like her parents do.

I always read the story to the six year olds in my class. We act it out and talk about it. They are able to understand the message. It's a story that every child should know and most adults do.

Just be glad she isn't yours and keep your distance

I think I would add a little distance to this friendship.

She might change as she starts school as teachers don't have the time and patience for this nonsense.

Oh FGS. Stop being such a nobber, of course you shouldn't buy her a passive aggressive 'gift', it's a horrible thing to do.

If you think so little of this family then just stop hanging out with them. Get her a decent present though, I mean, really - you're being incredibly mean.

Haha just buy a few books and throw that one in.cant accuse you of anything then other than encouraging her reading!