To be irritated with SILs boasts about her dc and how can I stop her in her tracks?

[cannotbelievethis]

I know I sound awful but I cannot stand people showing off about how their dc 'eat everything', 'are so advanced talking' - you get the picture. SIL drones on constantly and I would love to stop her once and for all. I am so not impressed and would be much more impressed to see her dc covered in mud having a laugh, and her relaxing.

A friend and I turn this on its head entirely and boast to each other about how daft our kids have been, or how much of a tantrum they threw in the supermarket, you get the jist! Boasting about how amazing your kids are is BORING AND ANNOYING to everyone except close family.
I have friends who boasted about what a great, well mannered and advanced toddler they have... She's just started going through a punchy / grabby stage and I have to say I am delighted.

Why does it bother you so much?

Just nod and smile and tune her out completely.

Just smile and nod

Honestly, parents have been like this since time began

It is annoying, but bringing yourself down to that level probably won't end well.

Say to the poor child - 'Oh you poor thing, look at you all clean and prettied up. You don't look like you've had any fun at all!'

I would also do the anti-boast.

SIL "DC said something in Latin yesterday, isn't that amazing?"
Cannot: "Well mine learned how to say 'cunt'! I'm so proud."

SIL "DC has such a nuanced palate, he was asking for anchovy stuffed olives at lunchtime."
Cannot: "Mine didn't need lunch today as he was full from eating all the dead flies off the windowsill. Saved me a job though."

Are you brave enough to try a blank stare and 'it's rude to boast you know'.
It really pisses me off when parents boast like that

Urgh, I don't like boasty parents, or boasty people full stop actually. I keep my distance from an acquaintance that I met through antenatal classes as all she does is boast about her children and about money.

It gets so boring.

Great replies thanks. It is the way she says it so innocently like she is not boasting when she so obviously is. It gets to me more than it should as she always tries to compete with us in every aspect of her life - what fun it is where she lives, holidays, etc. But she is so much worse now she has dc.

Ignore it all?
I mean if she needs to boast so much I am guessing she is actually feeling not confident at all and thinks that you are doing better than her hence the need to boast to show herself/her dcs in a better light.

get your phone out and start playing jelly crush

Casually mention studies from educational journals that prove that children who are potty trained at unusually early ages, end up being bed-wetters later on. Studies that show hot-housed toddlers and young kids end up no further ahead than kids left to develop at their own pace in early childhood.

'Really? Ours are thick as two short planks and utter wankers!'

at DoJo. THAT is the type of thing that would have me clamouring to be someones mate!

Smile and nod, or my favourite "that's nice dear" said with a false smile and a glazed expression as if you a placating an irritating toddler.

There is nothing you can do to stop her, this behaviour comes from her own insecurities.
I think another's suggestion is the best response to her, just smile vaguely and hopefully she'll move on to bore someone else.

Tell her:

You keep telling me all the advanced thing your very young child is doing, I know it must worry you but it probably won't happen to you - not all children that peak too soon end up heroin addicts, bored and angry with the world at 14. Just try not to put them under too much pressure or draw attention to anything that makes them different from their peers and they have a better chance in life.

These are your nieces and nephews, right?

How old are these children? Just wait till theyre teenagers and shes greyer than old school pinafores. Karma can be entertaining

No doubt her children are very young. Parent usually come down to earth regarding their children once they are at school..

You'll never stop her. The only way to 'win' is not to play the game.

Smile and say 'How lovely for you' every time she pauses to take a breath. Be vague about your own child's abilities so as to avoid the comparisons that she is desperate to make.

Or put on a slightly worried expression and say 'Gosh you do seem a bit obsessive about x. Is it something that worries you?'

It could be worse. SIL puts me and DS down trying to make herself feel better about her life choices.

From how DS doesn't speak as will as her DD (being addressed with SALT as was due to a hearing issue) to how much better her DD is at everything.

I do my best to ignore as do not think she means it with any venom, but sometimes a slice of sarcasm with your tea goes down a treat.

For example - following her DD starting potty training a month or so earlier than my DS at the equivalent age:
(SIL) "DD had an accident in her knickers and she said oh dear mummy I had a pooh in my knickers. DS wasn't talking at this age was he? Must have been frustrating finding his pants with poo and him not telling you"

(me) "No, as DS wasn't talking, but then again he has never needed to tell me about poo in his pants as has never had that type of accident. Sometimes its best to wait until they are ready for some things, like you normally say... "

I'd much rather listen to a proud parent than the one I spoke to today at school who had not a single positive thing to say about her DD.